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.
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.
I happen to like having insect parasites removed from my pelt! And they're a good source of protein!
I suppose fame has its advantages but eventually Michael Jackson got nailed; Isaac died before the lawsuits could catch up with him.
--Boris
Ah yes . . . the gaying down of America continues at a brisk pace.
The fact that this is popular is a sad statement about the modern world... a place where people are so intimacy starved that they sit around and cuddle with complete strangers. weird.
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