Receiving a flying kiss (air kiss) from a guy can have a variety of meanings. It is a sign of great affection.
This guy is too far away to give you an actual kiss, so, he sends an air kiss to you instead. Let’s take a closer look at flying kisses and their significance.
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How does someone give you a flying kiss?
They kiss the palm of their hand, then blow that kiss towards you with a breath of air.
It is purely symbolic and represents sending a kiss to a person who is too far away or to a crowd full of people that you like.
Can women give air kisses too?
Yes, they can. An air kiss is a unisex gesture. It can be from a guy to a girl or vice versa. It can also be between same-sex people to illustrate affection for each other.
Some parents will also send air kisses to their kids when they send them off to school.
Can it be a sign of flirting?
It can be, yes. It is a harmless way of showing a person you like them. If you do it each time you see this person, they should get the idea.
Maybe follow it up with a brief chat to determine if they are interested in you. Otherwise, it might feel a little creepy after too long.
Can a flying kiss have other meanings?
Yes, a flying kiss does not necessarily mean this person wants a relationship with you. It could be a sign of a good platonic friendship.
Or it can be between relatives of any sort. An example would be a grandfather sending his grandchild a flying kiss.
Is it okay for friends to send each other a flying kiss?
Yes, it is typically a harmless gesture. Although it can still symbolize a degree of affection, it does not have to mean they are in love with you.
Because of this, a friend can send you an air kiss in front of your spouse. Your spouse would not take offense to this because they understand the meaning behind it.
How do you know when an air kiss is a sign of romantic interest?
If the person does this every time they see you, it may be a sign of romantic interest. However, if they are just a close friend, they probably only send you an air kiss every once in a while.
More than that could imply they are interested in a closer relationship with you.
How should you respond to this gesture?
It depends on the meaning behind it. Either way, you can send an air kiss back to them. If it is purely between friends, nothing more will come of this.
On the other hand, if it is repeated often and indicates they want a romantic relationship exclusively with you, it is customary to smile when you return the air kiss.
Then you can approach them to try and begin a dialogue.
More thoughts on flying kisses
The answers we have given thus far are those common in the United States. In some countries, there are other meanings associated with flying kisses.
Not all of them are of a romantic nature. What else could they mean? Keep reading!
In Italy, air kisses are prevalent between people of any gender. It can even be between ordinary friends of the same sex as well as those in a relationship.
In that country, it might not mean anything more than bidding each other a fond farewell.
Can same-sex people send flying kisses to each other?
Yes, they can. It is completely appropriate. Air kisses and their meanings are not gender-specific nor are they specific to hetero relationships.
It is also true that the same-sex offerings of flying kisses do not necessarily imply the person wants a romantic relationship.
It could be purely a sign of ordinary friendship. They might also send air kisses to their offspring or other relatives.
Can men show their feelings by sending an air kiss?
Yes, they can. Especially if they repeatedly send them to the same person. Some men have a difficult time expressing their feelings.
Air kisses provide them with a safe way of doing that.
The air kiss is safer for a man than a real kiss. If the other person is not interested in a relationship, they will not respond in kind to this.
Then no harm is done. If a man gives them a real kiss, and they are not interested, it can be embarrassing.
Flying kisses are not awkward
What does this mean? We just gave you an example of how a real kiss can be embarrassing.
But an air kiss is less awkward than kissing someone on the hand or on the cheek.
Some people find those to be annoying and even invasive of their personal space whereas an air kiss is more acceptable and appropriate in many different circumstances.
What else can a flying kiss mean?
An air kiss could mean that he or she is too shy to give you a real kiss. Perhaps this person really likes you but is hesitant to tell you.
So, in lieu of a real kiss, they keep sending you air kisses. The person might even do that within a close distance from you.
Once again, we refer to the statement we made earlier.
Essentially, an air kiss can prove less embarrassing for the sender.
It is also a means of conveying to the recipient that they do not want anything other than friendship. Instead of insulting you by telling you that, they send you flying kisses.
Flying kisses in other countries
We spoke about this previously when we mentioned Italy. In some other countries, a flying kiss has more symbolism behind it than in the United States or Italy.
Some countries are very strict when it comes to romantic gestures. In those places, people view a real kiss or a hug as displeasing.
Therefore, an air kiss is a better way of illustrating strong feelings for another person.
It is far less likely the recipient or the surrounding community will take offense to that. In other words, an air kiss is extremely safe.
Celebrities and air kisses
In a number of places, the United States included, celebrities use air kisses.
If you have ever observed them at a public event, either in person or on television, you may have witnessed this.
They may blow a lot of kisses to fans and admirers on the sidelines.
An alternative reason for this is often because they are wearing make-up and ornate hairstyles, plus extremely formal clothing.
A real kiss and hug would mess up all those things. With a blown kiss, their appearance remains intact.
Also, assuming the celebrity would even want to, it would be impossible for them to kiss and or hug all of their fans.
An air kiss allows them to show their appreciation and affection without compromising their personal space.
Flying kisses can also mean farewell
This is true in dozens of countries. In place of a real kiss, a guy or a gal will blow you a kiss instead of saying goodbye.
This is especially prevalent if it is a rather emotional moment. Some people consider an air kiss less heart-wrenching than a real kiss or a hug.
It is also used instead of an actual kiss when bidding somebody a temporary goodbye.
This can happen between couples, family members, close friends, or even when there is a great fondness between acquaintances.
Sometimes air kisses are used in videos
Often when a person makes a video, he or she will blow the viewers a kiss at the end.
This can occur in instructional videos or entertainment-oriented videos. On these occasions, it is meant to show appreciation to the audience.
It is quite likely you have seen this in action. At the end of a musical performance, a comedy event, or talk show, the performers will send an air kiss to the audience.
This can be the same for live audiences in addition to television audiences.
When a performer does that, they are thanking the audience for attending or watching from afar. It also means the performer has a genuine fondness for these folks.
Obviously, they cannot personally kiss and hug every person that is watching. So an air kiss is used instead of that. It means this person loves and appreciates you.