Consequently, caresses, hugging, holding hands, and related acts of physical intimacy, in addition to expressing key cultural meanings about caring, safety, and arousal, are important acts of foreplay. Many people also find light touching or tickling of the surface of the skin to be especially stimulating. Others prefer more intensive hand to body caressing and exploration of the erogenous zones, commonly referred to as petting. Individuals vary considerably in terms of which of the potential erogenous zones they find to be most sensitive. Some people like to have their neck stroked or kissed, an experience that conveys great pleasure and sexual excitement.
Many people find kissing to be the fundamental act of foreplay.
In addition to various sites around the body, most people are quite responsive to manual or oral contact with their pubic area, although the precise spot that is most arousing varies. Oral stimulation and sucking of these areas is referred to as oral sex . Oral stimulation of the penis is called fellatio . For women, the clitoris, vulva, and surrounding areas are especially sensitive. Oral stimulation of these areas, especially to the point of orgasm, is known as cunnilingus .