I have a confession; after 8 years on British soil I have become complicit in the cult of “X”.

I refer not to “x marks the spot”, nor Madame Defarge styled knitted “X curses”, or even the “X-Factor” (both in Pop programs and chromosomal terms).

But rather that subversive “X” that finds itself at the end of every text and email.

Yes.

Smooches.

I recall 8 years ago upon arriving HERE I was quickly inundated with text messages from new friends with the offending “xx” on the end. These were individuals, whilst I found lovely, were hardly (well for the most part) individuals with whom I would like to lock lips. To my Puritanical (ha ha) American side the bold kisses were enforced intimacy that didn’t sit well.

In the Homeland, Philadelphia, kisses are reserved for birthday cards from relatives (older if you are young, younger if you are older) or very VERY dear friends. Your metaphoric saliva stays intact on personage.

After eight years however I find myself at the forefront of the smoocherama and distribute without thought. I am even a bit taken aback when messages MISS THE KISS.

Now the thing is the KISS is not really about kissing. For me it is an extension of those dear British regional terms of affection like ‘hen’, ‘duck’, and ‘love’. Used in conversational terms they become a wee blessing at the end of the message, like ‘Namaste’ in India.

I often get into debates with (mostly West Coast Scottish) folks over religion and spirituality. It is no blooming wonder. Secretarianism has drilled a hole in the soul of so many here. The reactive answer is to remove what is viewed as the initiating offense – Christianity. Now please understand, I am not Christian, so I am not waving the banner for anyone in particular. There are good Christians, there are bad Christians in the same way there are good doctors and bad doctors.

But I don’t wish to address THAT in particular. I’d like to consider that in the face of vehement secularism we send kisses without expectation, and for no apparent REASON. It is that qualitative aspect of life that makes it a little bit sweeter.

Recently I became introduced to an economic concept termed “The Happy People Index” (HPI), an alternative to the “Gross National Product” (GNP). According to this scale society’s success is measured by how happy its people are. One of the problems with the GNP is that things which bring much suffering (ie. Wars and exploitation) can make a positive GNP. The GNP ultimately has no ‘value’ for people, things, moments that improve and enhance the quality of our life, older folks, individuals with special needs, artists, spirituality, celebration…. unless it (they) can be boxed and sold.

So I am happy to belong to this wonderfully subversive “xx” cult. Let the kisses flow without expectation or reason. And next time why not include a wee cuddle as well?

XoxO!
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