thinks? Or is it just a dog trying to clean you or get a "taste" of you to see what you are?

not nessicarily dogs can lick people for affection but wolves,(dogs ancestors) the lower wolves lick the muzzles of the higher ranking wolves as a form of well respect it also says "your dominant, i'm not"

A lot of people want to believe it's for affection (Including me.) but really they are licking you to get the salt off your skin. To them it taste good.

Actually dogs lick you for several reasons, One is to show submission. the dog recognizes you as the "master" You are also the provider of the food he eats. dogs are very intelligent and know that. Second, to show affection. this is natural to a dog, since he can't kiss you without lips to pucker up. As for your "taste", well remember that a dogs tongue is five times more sensitive if not greater than yours. The salt that is excreated from your skin when you sweat. well yes, to him you do taste good. At least the salt part. I wouldn't worry about it though. Remember that regardless of what youv'e heard; A dog's mouth is cleaner than yours. so be glad when your dog says "I love You".

in some dogs it can be an obsessive behavior that may have started as affection or deference. If it's continuous or really bad, it's like your dog saying "I don't know what to do to please you but here I am." You may need to find a rewarding behavior for your dog to perform that also let's him/her accomplish something; like fetching, hide and seek or agility.