itsgigglegirl

Cuddling Strangers Latest Craze for Singles

Mon Aug 9, 9:59 AM ET

By Herbert Lash

NEW YORK (Reuters) - It's not about sex and all about the touchy-feely experience of snuggling up to perfect strangers wearing pajamas.



The grab fests are called cuddle parties, and since they started in New York in February, hundreds of people have paid $30 each to touch and embrace others in intimate gatherings.


Everyone needs to be cuddled, especially in lonely New York, say creators Reid Mihalko and Marcia Baczynski who say it's a good way to meet new and interesting people.


But 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.


"We've never used it," said Mihalko, who said sexual arousal does occur, and that participants shouldn't be turned off or scared by erections. "They happen."


The idea for cuddle parties loosely came about after Mihalko, a 14-year masseur, began giving massages to other masseurs who never got the chance to receive them.


Signs that people need to be touched were brought home one day when Mihalko said he noticed a woman bawling from the emotional release that a massage provided her at an outdoor stand in midtown Manhattan.


"It started out as a joke," said Baczynski. "Now we talk about cuddling all the time. It's just been amazing."


MOOOOO!


Curiosity is a big driver for people who attend cuddle parties, and it is a better way to meet people than going to a bar, getting drunk and spending the night with someone just because of the need for some affection, she said.


A cuddle party is really about communication and not therapy, say the organizers.


Before any touching begins, participants gather in a circle to hear the rules and voice any questions or concerns. The first rule is that the event is not clothing optional, pajamas must stay on and sex is not permitted.


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.


Cuddle parties are intended for people who are emotionally sound. People in therapy or who are seeing a mental health professional are asked to consult their doctor before signing up for a party and to tell organizers of their situation.


'PLAYING THE DOZENS'

One group on an overcast Sunday drew a mix of mostly single people in their 30s and a smattering of older people.

A repeat customer who called herself a born-again Christian said it was good to cuddle up to another person, albeit a perfect stranger, after a hectic week.

"I felt good. I had a particularly stressful week," said the woman, who did not wish to be named.

Friends had warned her that the parties would be nothing more than thinly disguised preludes to sex, but she dismissed those worries as alarmist and unfounded, saying, "It's not about sex."

Like others, the chance to meet someone was a consideration in attending a cuddle party.

"People in a way are looking for a connection," said Fernando. "It's weird, but not unusual."

A man named Dwayne H., who described himself as introverted, said he thought the parties would help him relax before strangers and help him express his feelings.

"I have a problem showing emotion," he said.
------------------------------------------------------
awww...cuddle puddles are catching on

__________________
~~Noodle~~

You can't miss me, I'm the girl with the smile

Shake like an earthquake, and cut like a guillotine

ananee

I have heard of this before... I don't know if I'd be willing to go to one tho...
Interesting none the less.

__________________
Time flies like an arrow but fruit flies like a banana...


Makes you think don't it?

Busta

Well heck I've been going to cuddle parties for years. Except the ones I got to have really good music.

I wonder if they frown on same sex cuddling?

__________________
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the number of hits we take from the bong

ALLurPLUR.r.blong2US

I just saw this article a few days ago. I couldn't believe someone actually found a way to market cuddle puddles. lol, I might have to go.

Acorn143

Sounds like a big e fest...

__________________
I'm a little Acorn seed falling from the big oak tree. Everybody steps on me that is why I'm cracked you see. I'm a nut, I'm a nut, I'm a nut nut nut.


Purerave: Acorn143

CRAYOLA-KYD

cuddling with strangers is scary

__________________
A true friend is someone who thinks you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked

neverlandgurl

hmmmm
intriguing....
although the over 30 crowd dims my interest a bit
i may have to start my own brand of NYC cuddle parties in brooklyn. everyone knows what a cuddle slut i am

__________________
i'm takin it back to the old skool cause i'm an old fool who's so cool

striking inspiration into the hearts of others: http://www.hattrixx.co.uk

weava

cuddle party, my house, this friday, be there

pajamas are optional but 1 denim article must be worn at all times (leather can sometimes be substituted for denim)


but seriously, i couldnt bring myself to cuddle with strangers...

where do these occur? a house or like a club? do people drink? is there music?

id like to know what all goes on it sounds interesting

__________________
PLUKE

itsgigglegirl

i think it's for the severely lonely or under-cuddled

such as myself at this point...I just moved to a new area devoid of all friends and relatives, and outside of work and school (which i'm not in yet), it's tough to meet people that aren't trying to pick you up at a bar. Thank god have a roommate who gives good hugs, otherwise I'd be a wreck...

and having gone to enough rave-parties now and been manhandled (in a plurry way) by enough strangers, I could do a cuddle party with people of similar age...but like neverlandgurl said, not with the 30+ crowd...that'd be creepy

twinkley_star

that sounds pridy skeevy to me.... maybe it's the age thing- just a bunch of lonely single middle-aged people... *shudder* yikes.

i don't know- i think i'll stick to cuddling people i at least know a little bit-

__________________
I said, "What kind of music do they play there?" and they told me, "Techno"...



PR= *twinkles*

chipakapockets

That's... uhm... different...

PLUR,

Chip

__________________
"Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitve electronic music."

Kristian Wilson, Nintendo Inc, 1989

astralkid

cUUUUUUUUUDLE!!!!


awwwww.....

itsgigglegirl

*cuddles astralkid*

mmmmmmmmmmmmm

astralkid

*holds on*

Led the cuddling commence!

ananee

^ I think you mean let.

When i really need a hug and then I get one I bawl. I'm feeling like a need a really big hug tonight. But maybe it's the bawling or maybe I'm just not adventureous enough, but I'd rather curl up in bed with a sentimental stuffed animal than go to a place full of strangers and curl up with one of them.
But if it was a cuddle party where I knew and trusted everyone there, I'd do it... and have done it... kind of...

neverlandgurl

there are times when i need a big hug cause i'm upset, and there are times when i'm upset and *IF* i get a hug i know i will start to cry, so sometimes i opt for no hug (specially in public)
but i am an insanely big fan of hugs...love to give and receive, and sometimes i forget that people are not as huggy as i

itsgigglegirl

^^^you're more than welcome to join the cuddle party astralkid and i are having...i hear he bites tho, so you gotta be careful

CareSieB

he doesnt bite , he is nice

__________________
Remember when we first met, Friends until the end, I'll hold you in my heart, until we meet again!

astralkid

Right, only bite if U want me to <---


((((((((((((((((( cuddle)))))))))))))))))))))))