I've lived in the Bay Area for more than 20 years, but somehow missed this tradition at Stanford: Full Moon on the Quad.
As the New York Times reported Friday it's "an event unique in American education: an orgy of interclass kissing reluctantly but officially sanctioned by the university."
How you respond to this might depend on your age.
My initial reaction was "ewwww!" But a (younger) colleague asked, "Is it horrible to confess to you: I'd probably join in?!?!"
The event was held last week, on Oct. 22. With thousands of students milling around waiting, the Times described what happened next:
Finally, a male senior saunters over to a group of the youngest-looking women and asks: “Hey! You freshmen? Can I kiss you?”
As the Stanford Band plays and a giant screen shows famous movie clutches, the bravest women step forward and receive the traditional welcome to one of the nation’s most prestigious universities: a big wet upperclassman smack.
I think you can guess why this is a health story.