SYDNEY invented the Free Hugs Man and now the city has a $1-for-a-kiss seller.
Eligible young bachelor Lachlan Christie, 24, is selling smooches outside the Queen Victoria Building in the heart of Sydney's CBD.
The street performer, who hides his eyes behind shades, has been spruiking kisses for two weeks and usually aims to take home $5 to $10 per day.
"I've sold three kisses in the past 50 minutes," he said.
"I'm doing it as a social experiment to get a chance to see people's reactions.''
He said women were quite reluctant to receive kisses on the lips.
"I want some brave girls to come up," he said.
"A lot of people want to give me money but don't want a kiss."
Christie said he was currently single but wasn't necessarily trying to find a girlfriend.
"It's mainly for the reaction ... to break down boundaries and challenge social norms," he said.
"Once I get more well known, hopefully business will boom.
"It's great toeing the line of whether people think you're serious or not."
He said he was a big fan of public comedy and got the idea for his business from Sydney's Free Hugs Man.
A Sydney man known by the pseudonym Juan Mann started the "Free Hugs" movement at the CBD's Pitt St Mall in 2004, and the phenomenon soon went worldwide.
Mann even appeared on US talk show Oprah.
Eligible young bachelor Lachlan Christie, 24, is selling smooches outside the Queen Victoria Building in the heart of Sydney's CBD.
Lachlan Christie kisses Portuguese backpacker Ana Leal for $1 outside Sydney's Queen Victoria Building today. Picture: Jeff Herbert
The street performer, who hides his eyes behind shades, has been spruiking kisses for two weeks and usually aims to take home $5 to $10 per day.
"I've sold three kisses in the past 50 minutes," he said.
"I'm doing it as a social experiment to get a chance to see people's reactions.''
He said women were quite reluctant to receive kisses on the lips.
"I want some brave girls to come up," he said.
"A lot of people want to give me money but don't want a kiss."
Christie said he was currently single but wasn't necessarily trying to find a girlfriend.
"It's mainly for the reaction ... to break down boundaries and challenge social norms," he said.
"Once I get more well known, hopefully business will boom.
"It's great toeing the line of whether people think you're serious or not."
He said he was a big fan of public comedy and got the idea for his business from Sydney's Free Hugs Man.
A Sydney man known by the pseudonym Juan Mann started the "Free Hugs" movement at the CBD's Pitt St Mall in 2004, and the phenomenon soon went worldwide.
Mann even appeared on US talk show Oprah.