Kissing booths feel like a punishment more than a reward a lot of the time

[Shadowraith]

Most of the time when I come across a kissing booth, I just let out a groan because that means the damsel that would otherwise be free suddenly costs a lot of money unless you want to ♥♥♥♥ off the shopkeeper, and if you do happen to be wanted then the damsel gets a face full of shotgun pellets.

The latter isn't really so bad, but the former is annoying because most of the time I feel my money is better spent elsewhere (read: saving up for the black market) or it's just not useful because I want the hedjet and would rather have a shop with actual items. On a side note, if acquiring the hedjet didn't mean resetting my HP to 4 every single time (and losing any held items too) then it would be a little better.

When I was first playing the game and struggling to complete the mines even once I did find the kissing booths to be somewhat useful, but after that point I just find them to be a drag.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that kissing booths CAN be useful, but most of the time that's only after getting the hedjet, which only leaves a few levels where that can happen (less if you go to the city of gold) and because of the prominent instant death in the game by that point it isn't even THAT useful.

[infernogott]

Yeah, they seem to be for beginners. I only buy a damsel, when there is an alter on the level.

[N/A]

The worst is encountering them with an altar on the level. I use them when I'm having a bad run, but purchase no more than 3 kisses. If I'm below 4 health, I'll buy my way up to 4 health. If I'm 4 health or more, I ignore it. Getting the Kapula is priority #1 since it's your most useful item after you enter the temple.

[infernogott]

Why is that the worst? You can buy the whole damsel by picking it up before purchasing.

[Jerd]

If you plan on killing shopkeepers later, Kissing Booths can provide you with a huge boost in health early on.

[lexilogo]

It's very situational. Many spelunkers never find themselves in those situations, though.

[Woudo]

"feel like a punishment more than a reward"
A lot of things fit that description. Pitcher's Mitt and Climbing Gloves come to mind. Cracking open a crate to find a machete or web gun. Hired hands.

Just how it works. You're not given upgrades, just tools or opportunities. How you use them or if you use them at all is your choice.

[Bal]

It's nice when you got a bunch of money after getting the Hedjet.