‘Kiss a stranger’ experiment trends on China’s internet

World Today

'Kiss a stranger' experiment trends on China's internet

Kissing is probably not the best way to know a stranger – but a social experiment in China believes so.

The project “Hello, stranger” invited 20 students aged 18 to 23 from a university in eastern China’s Nanjing city to lip lock as a way to “build trust and friendship.” They were brought together by Liu Ke, a student at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, who spearheaded the project.

In a video that has been shared across Chinese social media, two strangers first appear on the screen blindfolded. They then share their feelings before the couples lean toward each other and kiss.

While some of the participants looked visibly awkward and nervous, others seemed to have a different reaction.

“I want to challenge myself with new things as I’m young,” said one of the participants.

‘Kiss a stranger’ experiment trends on China’s internet Read more: https://america.cgtn.com/?p=142917&preview_id=142917#ixzz454c7mWls 

But not everyone was elated about the experiment.

Liu Fuliang, a teacher at Nanjing University of Science and Technology, said relations among human should correspond to their behaviors – while handshake is a good gesture for a first meeting, hugging is desirable among acquaintances and kissing should only be reserved for people in intimate relationships, he said.

“I felt it’s going too far,” Liu said referring to the video project.

Many social media users also agreed.

“This is too much... it’s better to kiss hands or cheeks,” commented a user named @Cunziyuwen on China’s largest microblogging platform Sina Weibo.

Another user @Keluodiyayizhimao said that kissing is considered “intimate in Chinese tradition.” “There are a lot of other ways to express trust,” she commented.

“I also can’t understand this…Am I too conservative?” echoed @LiHe_Richard.

While such video has appeared online for the first time in China, similar projects in the United States, United Kingdom and Israel, among others, have gained social media traction.

So what would you do – would you ever kiss a stranger?

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