nice...
Wouldn't you hate to be trapped in an elevator with one of these freaks???? I bet there is a "plant" in every one of these cuddle parties. You know there has to be participants that no one would want to touch w/a 10' pole, but you want their $$ coming back. The whole thing is just plain weird.
I think we should have a Free Republic Cuddle Party. Some posters around here lately really need one. ;)
The FAQ's are hilarious, especially this one:
"How much does training cost?
Training fees are $650 if you submit your application by the early registration date, or $700 for regular registration. This includes a non-refundable application fee of $100 ($50 for early registration), all training and materials fees, and lunch and snacks for all training days."
The answer to another FAQ goes on to point out that getting trained will help you to create a revenue stream as you begin to host your own Cuddle Parties (what the heck is a "Cuddle Caddy?").
What a scam.
August 2004 Notes I posted in another forum. (Links omitted as they were archived and no longer good):
Posted 8-11-2004 Tuesday night on the Savage Nation, Savage was talking about Cuddle Clubs, hugging parties where participants don their PJs and engage in a number of 'encounter group' activities to get to know people and hug them. People have to keep the PJs on; no kissing or sex is allowed. This was originally targeted for people living alone who might not get many other opportunities to hug.
He mentioned the people who started this got the idea from people's reaction to outdoor massage vendors (some customers would become 'emotional' when being massaged because of all the tension).
They're talking about this at hannity.com too. Apparently Savage was reading from a Reuter's article that I missed.
The rules are clear. The PJs stay on the whole time and participants are reminded of Rule No. 7: "No dry humping!"
In case things get too steamy, a small chime is kept on hand. Before the cuddling begins, the chime is struck several times so everyone gets the message.
Participants team up into pairs and to ensure the boundaries of what is permissible are clear, they practice saying "no" to the question, "May I kiss you?"
An introduction to cuddling ensues, first by hugging three people. People then get in a circle on their hands and knees, rub shoulders and moo like cows. After a bit of swaying, everyone falls to their side, which puts them into an easy cuddling position.
Actually, my memory is being slowly jogged... When I used to be a 'leftist'(1970s - 80s), our discussion action group did experiment with trust exercises including 'falling backwards, trusting others to catch you' and 'massages' (clothed). I actually have some trust issues related to touching and found the massage exercise uncomfortable. This sounds like a revival of those types of exercises. A $30 party is probably cheaper than a psychotherapy session, but I don't know if I could handle a cuddle party or not, especially if I didn't drink (which I try not to these days). I'd have to be very anethisized. Cuddle parties are probably not something I'd do with strangers (if at all). Savage only brought it up because it was weird news that vaguely related to science.
2005 Note: I'd posted this on a large BB with a lot of NY members. No-one admitted to ever having attended one. Part of Savage's theme for that week last year was whether psychotherapy is really science. Has anything changed since last year? Is it still $30 a person, available in NYC?
August 2004 Notes I posted in another forum. (Links omitted as they were archived and no longer good):
Posted 8-11-2004 Tuesday night on the Savage Nation, Savage was talking about Cuddle Clubs, hugging parties where participants don their PJs and engage in a number of 'encounter group' activities to get to know people and hug them. People have to keep the PJs on; no kissing or sex is allowed. This was originally targeted for people living alone who might not get many other opportunities to hug.
He mentioned the people who started this got the idea from people's reaction to outdoor massage vendors (some customers would become 'emotional' when being massaged because of all the tension).
They're talking about this at hannity.com too. Apparently Savage was reading from a Reuter's article that I missed.
The rules are clear. The PJs stay on the whole time and participants are reminded of Rule No. 7: "No dry humping!"
In case things get too steamy, a small chime is kept on hand. Before the cuddling begins, the chime is struck several times so everyone gets the message.
Participants team up into pairs and to ensure the boundaries of what is permissible are clear, they practice saying "no" to the question, "May I kiss you?"
An introduction to cuddling ensues, first by hugging three people. People then get in a circle on their hands and knees, rub shoulders and moo like cows. After a bit of swaying, everyone falls to their side, which puts them into an easy cuddling position.
Actually, my memory is being slowly jogged... When I used to be a 'leftist'(1970s - 80s), our discussion action group did experiment with trust exercises including 'falling backwards, trusting others to catch you' and 'massages' (clothed). I actually have some trust issues related to touching and found the massage exercise uncomfortable. This sounds like a revival of those types of exercises. A $30 party is probably cheaper than a psychotherapy session, but I don't know if I could handle a cuddle party or not, especially if I didn't drink (which I try not to these days). I'd have to be very anethisized. Cuddle parties are probably not something I'd do with strangers (if at all). Savage only brought it up because it was weird news that vaguely related to science.
2005 Note: I'd posted this on a large BB with a lot of NY members. No-one admitted to ever having attended one. Part of Savage's theme for that week last year was whether psychotherapy is really science. Has anything changed since last year? Is it still $30 a person, available in NYC?
Yikes! There was a lag at my end and I thought the post had failed since it didn't show up for me. Sorry for the double...