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???
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