The sticky-floored nightclub, the packed bar, the street corner after the last Tube. These are more than just memories; they are the modern arenas of connection. It's where glances lock, numbers are swapped, and the dizzying potential of romance hangs in the air. Yet, in the rush from meet-cute to the morning after, a cornerstone of passion has been sidelined: the simple, profound act of a proper snog.
The Case for a Kissing Comeback
In a dating landscape where sexual milestones have accelerated, with some considering oral sex a new 'first base', a counter-movement is brewing. The tide is turning, championed by voices on platforms like TikTok. Creator Tilly Ferrari is leading the charge, declaring that 2026 should be the year kissing comes back 'in'.
'I want to see more snogging without consequences, and I want to see more snogging that just stops at snogging,' she asserts. This sentiment is echoed by professionals. Susie Masterson, a BACP psychotherapist and relationship coach, tells Metro that 'kissing is such an underrated art' and is 'an incredibly intimate act, sometimes more so than sex'.
This isn't just nostalgia. For Metro's lifestyle journalist Charlie Sawyer, a dedicated fan of the practice, a public snog is an unmatched pastime. 'I love that a kiss can mean so many different things,' she says, highlighting its unique emotional vocabulary.
Why Did We Stop Prioritising the Pash?
So how did snogging lose its lustre? Experts point to a combination of influences. Sex and relationship expert Annabelle Knight notes that porn and pop culture have encouraged a faster track to explicit intimacy. Meanwhile, the harsh realities of modern dating have left many cautious.
'For those who see a hook up as a way to establish a new connection with someone, ghosting culture may have made it less desirable to risk investing too much in a stranger,' explains psychotherapist Eloise Skinner. In this context, a kiss becomes a lower-stakes, yet still meaningful, point of connection.
Sexuality expert Courtney Boyer frames the revival as a conscious choice. 'Bringing snogging back is really about bringing presence, choice, and desire back into dating,' she says. It's a form of play and seduction that builds anticipation rather than rushing past it.
Snogging as an Act of Self-Care and Safety
This renewed focus on kissing is about more than romance; for many, it's a boundary that prioritises well-being. 'It slows things down,' Courtney explains. 'You’re not getting caught up in chemistry.' This deliberate pace aligns with a growing awareness of body autonomy, particularly among women.
'Being more boundaried can absolutely be a sign of self respect,' Susie Masterson adds. The statistics support a shift towards more mindful encounters: 60% of Brits admit to regretting drunk sex, and 47% feel more in tune with their bodies during sober intimacy.
There's a practical side, too. As Eloise Skinner wryly notes, ending a night with a kiss means 'a more comfortable night’s sleep in our own bed'. It's also safer with a stranger and allows you to start the next day grounded in your own space.
The message for 2026 is clear: the journey can be as rewarding as the destination. The next time you find yourself lip-locked, savour the moment for what it is—a powerful, connective act in its own right. The art of the snog is officially back on the agenda.
