Siblings kiss, and readers react
By C.B. Hanif, Palm Beach Post Ombudsman

"I felt that photo was very inappropriate" writes Barbara Sjoholm. Other readers probably agree.

She was referring to the picture on the front of some editions of the Jan. 24 Local News section. It showed "the brother and sister sharing a kiss -- on what appears to be the lips. I'm sorry, but I feel this is wrong," Ms. Sjoholm e-mailed from Lake Worth. "When do brothers and sisters kiss each other on the lips?"

The answer to where, of course, is Reality, USA -- as captured in the photo from Currie Park in West Palm Beach. And perhaps in Italy, from which the kids and their family were here on vacation, and where European cultural sensitivities for 3- and 5-year-olds may factor in.

"There was some concern by some editors in the newsroom over the siblings-kissing photo," says Assistant Managing Editor/Photography Pete Cross. "Photo Editor Becky Lebowitz and I took an informal poll in the newsroom on whether or not the photo would be regarded as offensive. I noticed most colleagues who had young children, including the photographer who shot it, all agreed it was a tender moment from a very young brother and sister (age was a factor). Colleagues who didn't have children (except for Ms. Lebowitz) had issues with it.

"I took that to be a sign of sensibility and understanding toward young behavior in children -- children exhibiting an honest affection in a manner too young to be inappropriate. I saw it as an honest, tender, loving moment between brother and sister. I suspected others would see it as something else."