And what a perception it is. And here's the ever-amazing thing: as you look at these things, ask yourself how much of it is really true. Some are just silly, but others... Well, folks, you might just want to break out the notepads. We've got a whole bushel of future love doctors here, mark my words. Scary, isn't it? Oh well. Just wait for these kids to go through puberty, and then it's all out the window! If you're already an expert in love, you may as well return to the Twinkie Factory. There's nothing for you here. Otherwise, learn!
HOW DO PEOPLE IN LOVE TYPICALLY BEHAVE?
"When a person gets kissed for the first time, they fall down and they don't get up for at least an hour." (Wendy, age 8)
CONCERNING WHY LOVE HAPPENS BETWEEN TWO PARTICULAR PEOPLE
"One of the people has freckles and so he finds somebody else who has freckles too." (Andrew, age 6)
"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell ... That's why perfume and deodorant are so popular." (Mae, age 9)
"I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful." (Manuel, age 8)
ON WHAT FALLING IN LOVE IS LIKE
"Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." (John, age 9)
"If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." (Glenn, age 7)
ON THE ROLE OF BEAUTY AND HANDSOMENESS IN LOVE
"If you want to be loved by somebody who isn't already in your family, it doesn't hurt to be beautiful." (Anita C., age 8)
"It isn't always just how you look. Look at me. I'm handsome like anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet." (Brian, age 7)
"Beauty is skin deep. But how rich you are can last a long time." (Christine, age 9)
REFLECTIONS ON THE NATURE OF LOVE
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." (Greg, age 8)
HOW DO PEOPLE IN LOVE TYPICALLY BEHAVE?
"Mooshy ... like puppy dogs ... except puppy dogs don't wag their tails nearly as much." (Arnold, age 10)
"All of a sudden, the people get movies fever so they can sit together in the dark." (Sherm, age 8)
CONCERNING WHY LOVERS OFTEN HOLD HANDS
"They want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them." (Gavin, age 8)
"They are just practicing for when they might have to walk down the aisle someday and do the holy matchimony thing." (John, age 9)
CONFIDENTIAL OPINIONS ABOUT LOVE
"I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when 'Dinosaurs' is on television." (Jill, age 6)
"Love is foolish ... but I still might try it sometime." (Floyd, age 9)
"Yesterday I kissed a girl in a private place ... We were behind a tree." (Carey, age 7)
"Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." (Dave, age 8)
"I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth grade hard enough." (Regina, age 10)
PERSONAL QUALITIES YOU NEED TO HAVE IN ORDER TO BE A GOOD LOVER
"Sensitivity don't hurt." (Robbie, age 8)
"One of you should know how to write a check. Because, even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills." (Ava, age 8)
SOME SUREFIRE WAYS TO MAKE A PERSON FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU
"Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores." (Del, age 6)
"Shake your hips and hope for the best." (Camille, age 9)
"Yell out that you love them at the top of your lungs ... and don't worry if their parents are right there." (Manuel, age 8)
"Don't do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love." (Alonzo, age 9)
"One way is to take the girl out to eat. Make sure it's something she likes to eat. French fries usually works for me." (Bart, age 9)
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF TWO ADULTS AT A RESTAURANT ARE IN LOVE?
"Just see if the man picks up the check. That's how you can tell if he's in love." (Bobby, age 9)
"Lovers will just be staring at each other and their food will get cold. Other people care more about the food." (Bart, age 9)
"Romantic adults usually are all dressed up, so if they are just wearing jeans it might mean they used to go out or they just broke up." (Sarah, age 9)
"See if the man has lipstick on his face." (Sandra, age 7)
"It's love if they order one of those desserts that are on fire. They like to order those because it's just like how their hearts are --- on fire." (Christine, age 9)
WHAT MOST PEOPLE ARE THINKING WHEN THEY SAY "I LOVE YOU"
"The person is thinking: Yeah, I really do love him. But I hope he showers at least once a day." (Michelle, age 9)
"Some lovers might be real nervous, so they are glad that they finally got it out and said it and now they can go eat." (Dick, age 7)
HOW WAS KISSING INVENTED?
"I know one reason that kissing was created. It makes you feel warm all over, and they didn't always have electric heat or fireplaces or even stoves in their houses." (Gina, age 8)
HOW A PERSON LEARNS TO KISS
"You can have a big rehearsal with your Barbie and Ken dolls." (Julia, age 7)
"You learn it right on the spot when the gooshy feelings get the best of you." (Brian, age 7)
"It might help to watch soap operas all day." (Carin, age 9)
WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
"When they're rich." (Pam, age 7)
"It's never okay to kiss a boy. They always slobber all over you ... That's why I stopped doing it." (Tammy, age 7)
"If it's your mother, you can kiss her anytime. But if it's a new person, you have to ask permission." (Roger, age 6)
"I look at kissing like this: Kissing is fine if you like it, but it's a free country and nobody should be forced to do it." (Dave, age 8)
HOW TO MAKE LOVE ENDURE
"Spend most of your time loving instead of going to work." (Dick, age 7)
"Don't forget your wife's name ... That will mess up the love." (Erin, age6)