Yesterday my class watched the 1960 black and white version of the movie Inherit the Wind. One of the opening scenes shows the romantic leads locked in a passionate kiss. “Whoa,” said one of my students. “What are they doing?”

This is a kid who I know for a fact is addicted to “Jersey Shore.” I couldn’t believe he was such a prude about a 1960’s kiss. “They’re in love,” I explained.

He looked at me, exasperated. “I know that, but what are they doing?”

“What do you mean, what are they doing? They’re kissing.”

“For real?” He seemed genuinely confused. “I never saw anyone kiss like that. It looks like a head-butt.”

Having grown up watching old movies, I saw the kiss as melodramatic and retro but totally recognizable. But when I took a step back considered it from his perspective, instead of the face-sucking and groping hands of today, this kiss consisted of eyes clamped shut and hermetically sealed lips. “Yep, that’s a kiss.”

“That does not look like fun,” he said, and I had to agree.

I’m glad I took that step back. When I first started teaching, I was fond of saying “You guys must think I was born yesterday,” because I didn’t want to seem gullible, but come to think of it, in literal terms, I was born yesterday, and rather than a weakness, my long life offers up a worthwhile POV. I also discovered that teaching isn’t linear, me providing them with my perspective, but circular, so just as often, they are the ones to inform me.

It’s not unlike that dated Hollywood kiss; time has revealed how much better things can be if you’re willing to soften and open up.