Posted on 11/09/2004 1:11:33 AM PST by esryle
Seeking out human touch has never been so anonymous, intimate or easy as in a new phenomenon called a cuddle party.
"I love to cuddle. I love to meet new people and make friends," said Kelly, a cuddle party participant.
Cuddle parties are the newest trend sweeping the country. Both young and old people are taking part. At a cuddle party, complete strangers nuzzle, massage, hug and sometimes even kiss.
"They are often experiencing a loss. Maybe they've just broken up with a boyfriend. Maybe they've just lost a wife. They really need the energy that comes from close physical contact and don't have another vehicle in which to get it," said Dr. Susan Kellogg, of the Pelvic and Sexual Health Institute.
Cuddle parties are private, personal and growing in popularity.
"It was unique. Nobody does this kind of thing. It was something missing. Something I don't get a chance to do very often -- get to cuddle with friends," said Mike Lehy, a cuddle party participant.
In the party, there is closeness between participants -- the kind you may only be used to getting from close friends and loved ones. But if you're looking for more than hugs, the creators say you've come to the wrong place.
"The first rule of cuddling is pajamas stay on the whole time. This is a nonsexual event and one of the ways we ensure that is nobody gets naked," said Reid Mihalko, a cuddle party creator.
For $20 to $30, you can attend a three-hour snuggle-fest to get your fill of intimacy. There are cuddle lifeguards to enforce strict 12 rules among pajama-clad strangers. For instance, cuddlers must ask before touching.
"It's safe, depending on the responsibility of the cuddle guard -- you can never say never. It appears to be safe. It is not a party driven for sexual activity," said Dr. Kristene Whitmore, of the Pelvic and Sexual Health Institute.
Some people are a bit touchy about this touchy-feely take on intimacy with strangers.
"A lot of people are very suspect of this new phenomenon, this cuddle party. They think it's just a fancy name for orgy, for really inappropriate sexual behavior. In fact, cuddle parties are for cuddling only," Kellogg said.
So, if you're in the mood to be touched by a stranger, and you like the idea of getting cozy in pairs, or in piles, cuddle parties may be just what you're looking for.
Currently, there are no Cuddle Parties scheduled for the Philadelphia area, but new parties are being added all the time. Visit www.cuddleparty.com for more information and a schedule of upcoming parties.
Primates, grooming each other.
In my experience, the desire to cuddle, once fulfilled, is quickly amplified and changed into other urges. That's how the species perpetuates itself.
Gotta be Nader supporters.
Must be a Democrat thing: Foreplay and no sex.
Like Campaigning and no office.
Well I'll tell ya when two young people start cuddling it will end up with either a disease or unwanted pregnancy.
Sounds like a great way to pick up emotionally disturbed chics (or guys, depending on your gender).
Ya think?
SNUGGLEBUNNIES
Sorry, I could not cuddle without an erection.
LOL Hence my screen name.
Some people are just stupid, there's no other way to say it.
Oh yeah, go cuddle with hellen.
LOL! Although. . . I think even primates keep it in the 'family'.
Why don't these people just play Monopoly together? Oh, right. .. it takes too long.
Isn't there some kind of 'physics' here. . .something that compares say. . .to heating up water in your micro-wave vs on the stove. . .the water placed in microwave is 'hot' for the time it took to heat it up. So the water heated on the stove; stays hot - longer. (So, if you use 'instant coffee'; and like it hot. . .longer; do not use microwave)
Anyway; think this surely - somehow - applies to those supposedly 'instantly necessary' warm fuzzies. . .
Warm cuddles that pass for 'unconditional love'; I think, by any calculation; must get cold, quickly.
I see the Therapeutic State lives on...
Exactly. For guys (can't speak for the ladies) cuddling a slow form of foreplay. Doesn't necessarily lead to anything, but it's still foreplay.
goodness gracious, that's disturbing, now I'm going to have nightmares about being cuddled by that..errr...woman...what did I ever do to you to deserve that???
For their homework, the participants have to read the "Snugglepot and Cuddlepie" series of books.
Talk about blood rushing back to your brain.
You know she probably hasn't had it in so long she might just be a hot chick!
Or, "Snuzzle Your Wuzzle".
Hey NUTCASES... cuddle THIS!
When I was a kid, they had cuddling without foreplay all the time. It was called "dating." That was before "dating" meant you were continuing to court someone you had already had meaningless sexual contact with numerous times.
First sign of trouble: the founder of Cuddle Parties, REiD Mihalko, seems to insist on spelling his name using the mixture of caps and lowers. Not a sign of stability or sanity.
That is the dumbest thing I have ever seen, and believe me, I've seen a lot of dumb things.
Amen!
What is even dumber the women are going to believe it.
With all due respect, please shut-up. Some images just don't need to be created and an image of a sexually urgent Helen Thomas is.., well I'll just shut-up as well.
In the old days we called it "grinding."
This will be deemed a good idea until someone gets sued for date rape.
Well I didn't post her picture...it makes my eyes hurt looking at her!
Couldn't everybody just get a cat?!
Frank Zappa had it right with "Pinky," the blow-up doll.
To me, this is a perfect opportunity for perverts to get their rocks off of strangers. Why not call this "mutual light prostitution"? If I were a guy, once I "cuddled" a while, I am sure the bathroom stall would be my next stop.
If people don't like being brushed against in the subway, how can they stand to be made pieces of meat for lonely hearts, perverts, voyeurs, johns, masturbators and porno-magazine fantasists?
As people created by God, we're supposed to find intimacy in a committed relationship. So why would these folk seek out the company of strangers? The "12 rules" with referees even, is such a false way to find this "need" met.
The answer can only be found in our society's lack of meaningful intimacy. I can't imagine where this junk psychology leads...seems like it would lead to mild a gratification followed by even more despair. Paying for touch?
Seems the last thing people need is more pinball relationships that come and go. More self initiated substitutes for the real deal, that's all I see here.
You need to FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL to see what's really going on here.
that's really gross. so is the picture of helen thomas. why am i reading this thread?
bump
Fancy a cuddle?
...in a completely non-sexual way, of course! *LOL*
What's wrong wiht friends and family?
Oh, I forgot. When you get to know a liberal you want to do anything but cuddle with them.
This is sad that they must "cuddle" with strangers and PAY for it.
I'm having a cuddle party this weekend with ten models from the Victoria's Secret catalog. I guess the rest of you guys will be watching football. Oh well!
LOL!!
(((((hugs)))))
Don't know if the article is funny or pathetic.
That will be $20, please.
Yes -- probably -- besides there's already activities like dancing with strangers that accomplish the same thing.
For those who don't know how to be human, you can now pay $20-30 to get a substitute. This seems to be a good idea for lefties who manufacture all their "feelings" yet have no warmth. Yipes.
Cuddle Parties? Euphamism for Frottage Party?
I wonder what you get for $30.00 that you don't get for $20.00.
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