One in five Brits would dump a partner for being a bad kisser
- The nation says good kisses should last more than five seconds
- Younger Brits say physical attraction is most important for a good kiss, while over 45s say a good relationship is key
Being a bad kisser is enough to make one in five Brits (19%) call it quits with their partner, according to new research. In contrast, more than two in five people (44%) say being a good kisser makes you more attractive.
Exploring what makes the perfect kiss, the study polled thousands of people across the UK, revealing the nation’s likes and dislikes when it comes to puckering up.
Undertaken by leading online bingo brand, Foxy Bingo, the research found that many elements are required to make up the perfect smooch, from spontaneity (29%) to soft lips (31%).
Attraction to your kissing partner was rated the most important factor (60%). This is followed by your relationship to the person (56%), showing that for many Brits, having an established connection makes kissing much better. Soft lips (31%) and gentle pressure (30%) were voted third and fourth most important, respectively.
The top five elements that make a good kiss, as voted for by the UK, are:
- Attraction to the person you’re kissing (60%)
- Relationship to the person you’re kissing (56%)
- Soft lips (31%)
- Gentle pressure (30%)
- Spontaneity (29%)
When it comes to the duration of a smooch, it seems the nation prefers a long, lingering kiss, as over five seconds was voted the most popular duration (14%). A quick peck on the lips, however, is a no-go as one to two seconds received the fewest votes (4%).
Men are more likely than women to consider themselves to be good kissers (29% vs 24%), while ladies are less likely to tolerate bad kissing from partners. Over a fifth (21%) of British women say they would stop seeing someone if they were bad at kissing, while only 16% of men said the same.
People from Southampton (34%) are the most likely to think that they’re good kissers, whilst Bristolians (7%) are the most likely to say that they’re a bad kisser. Interestingly, Mancunians (34%) are by far the most likely to dump someone for being a bad kisser, being 14% more likely to cut loose than Nottingham residents (20%) in second place.
Attitudes also differ by age. Gen Z (aged 18-24) is the most likely age group to dump a partner who is bad at kissing (28%), while millennials (aged 25-34) are the most likely cohort to consider themselves good kissers.
Age also influences what people consider makes the perfect kiss. Gen Z, young millennials (25-34) and older millennials (35-44) all consider physical attraction the most important element for a good kiss (60%, 52% and 64% respectively), while for people aged 45-54 and 55-64, as well as pensioners (65+), it is the relationship with the partner that is most vital (58%, 61% and 60% respectively).
Anna Venturas, Brand Director of Foxy Bingo, said: “Who knew that people had such strong feelings on kissing? While it seems a little harsh to break up with a partner because they’re bad at kissing, hopefully this research and the tips from Jon will help anyone who might be a little nervous.”
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