I find this really confronting, too. A few weeks ago I was at my chiropractor, and without a word the chiropractic assistant came up to me, placed her hand on my daughter's head, and kissed her! It happened so quickly I didn't know what to do. I know that people go crazy for babies, but still...that's my baby! I always try to explain to my daughter what is going on, and what I am about to do before I do it, so for a stranger to wordlessly plant a kiss on her without asking me or my baby...it's about respect, I think. I know I'd feel strange if someone I didn't know came up to me and planted a kiss on my face! I suppose sometimes babies are just considered public property - and as Townsvillegirl mentioned, it's about the self-gratification of others, too.