dogs licking me incessantly

Question
we have 3 dogs--my old mutt (zach, about 11, i had since puppy), chinese pug (gilbert, about 2, we had since puppy), german shorthair (otis, about 10, girlfriend had since puppy).
otis very rarely licks anyone at all and never on the face.
zach licks me on the face and mouth sometimes when i come home or just wake up--i have allowed this forever, doesnt bother me--usually just for a few seconds, like a greeting.
gilbert generally doesnt lick anyone's face or mouth--just hands sometimes for a few seconds.
PROBLEM (i guess):  anytime i am sitting or lying down anywhere where zach and/or gilbert can get to my legs (and arms, too, sometimes) they will get into position to lick me constantly unless i make them stop--they dont do this with my girlfriend, her 16 year daughter, or anyone else.
i have noticed that sometimes when i am at friends' homes that have dogs that they like to lick my arms and legs, too (and sometimes the owners have been surprised saying that their dog/s never lick).
i dont use lotion or cologne or anything on my arms or legs and am very clean--i am pretty hairy, though, could that be it?
WHY ARE THEY DOING THIS??
they will come back sometimes almost immediately even though i punish them to get them to stop, almost like they cant help themselves.
ever heard of this before?  are they waiting for me to die so that they can finally eat their delicious master?

Answer
It is hard to say.  Perhaps there is something about your personal chemistry they find attractive.  You could sweat a little more than others having more salt to attract them.  You could be sending top dog signals and they are licking you in submission.  If you are going to stop it, you will have to be very consistent.  Try substituting a toy or just walking away.  Denying your attention can be a very powerful negative to a dog.