Setting a timer

I've talked to several clients on the site that hire professional cuddlers and one of the topics that comes up often are timers. Some cuddlers set timers and some don't. One of the worst things we as clients can hear during a cuddle session is a timer going off and the cuddler saying okay times up. On the other hand, hearing a cuddler whisper in your ear that she has to get going and has really enjoyed your company is so much sweeter. I would say most of the pros I have hired have not set timers so they either judge the time or they find a clock in the room and glance at it now and then. Thoughts?

I should get a clock in my room. Haha. I personally don't use a timer (a client has used one) and I'm a pretty good judge of time but sometimes I lose track of time so it can go over 15/20/30 minutes but I don't mind and don't look to charge for extra time. If the client wishes to leave a tip that's generous of them but not needed.

I agree with you that the timer can ruin things which is why I don't use one

Another way to keep track of time without setting an annoying alarm is to put something on tv to watch that you know how long it is or to make a playlist of music that you know how long it is. The client won't even know you're keeping track of time and he'll feel so much better not hearing an alarm go off.

Brandi

Setting a time in the begining is the only way i wont focus on time the whole session.. you may get a kinder goodbye whisper but she could easily rip you off a few minutes, or just constantly be wanting to check the time. Or she could forget the time, or one time i totaly forgot the alarm and ended up accidentally going over by a good amount of time, and that kinda messed with my schedule. With an alarm, its simple, and I dont have to worry about if i fall asleep or get extra cozy, the time limit will still be there to serve its purpose.
Its fair for everyone that way. Usually i dont hear the timer ring and jump up n say ok out, i usually finish up the hug, then say my thank you, and then talk for a second before getting up and cleaning up but one of my regulars actually liked the timer because when it went off, we knew we got that one last big hug befofe the night ended ♡
I think its easiest that way. But obviously its up to you and what you prefer

I request that you set your alarms to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoQ4GidQP-k

@cuddledingo

Good point @brandi

Brandi

great suggestion cuddledingo, i just may take that advice ;P

greenearth2

I think timers are needed but they shouldnt be used in an abrupt manner or be set to an obnoxious sound like you would use for a wake-up alarm etc.
It sucks when you're in the middle of a sentence talking about something and the alarm pops and your snuggler jumps up and interrupts you. Being that strict with time to the second is very off-putting.
Also the snugglers who don't set timers but maybe check the time periodically so they might be a few minutes later than the set time are precious and few.

I have a buddy on here who booked an hour session with a pro and she fell asleep and woke up 5 hours later lol She said she didn't mind cause she was really tired. My buddy said he didn't even cuddle her the whole 5 hours cause he had some work to do :-p No alarm was set obviously.

@Morpheus one time I set music so when it ended there was 10 minutes left but I used youtube so it automatically played the next piece which was pretty similar to the first piece but I figured it out ^-^

netrunner

I prefer having a movie playing on TV or having some music, a playlist that you know roughly how long it is so you don't have some alarm going off. Having a clock that is easy to look at for the Pro to check on is okay as long as it doesn't seem they are watching the clock every 15 minutes.
But yes, some way to tell time without it being an interruption is good to have... especially for the Pro so they can check in with their emergency contact if needed to let them know they are leaving or once they have safely left.

@Morpheus WOW! That's good that she didn't mind and it seemed neither did he, but yes no alarm was obvisouly set for the session.

I, for one, hate a timer that goes off. We all have internal clocks and as long as there is a clock in the room I feel there is no need to have a timer. For me, if there is a timer, the last 20 minutes of the session is wasted because I anticipate the timer going off and it ruins it. The movie is a good idea as long as it finishes before the session is over. I once had a pro that after the timer had expired, paused the movie and saw me out then proceeded to watch the rest of the movie. That didn't make me feel very loved. Lol

greenearth2

@masterofcuddle  I would probably find another snuggler then  that kinda sucks

Brandi

I dont understand how staring at a time slowly go by with a clock on the wall is better than a timer that you cant see, to watch and anticipate? I believe that the timer is not an issue at all. its how the pro ends the session. Weather its a timer, or a clock, or a movie, its all just a preference lol. I think its a silly debate xP 

greenearth2

I don't think it's hard to quickly glance at a wall clock every few minutes without making it obvious.
Some of us don't like the alarm going off like that without warning.
Heck even I check my watch occasionally to get an idea how much time is left.
Nothing wrong with it. Just don't sit there staring at it lol.
But the point is. This just how how some people feel. Just because you don't agree you shouldn't dismiss how others feel

I work in management for one of the biggest corporations in the world.  I deal with customers on a daily basis.  I would never in a million years dismiss a customer's feelings even if I did not agree with them.  A true professional does not treat his customers/clients in that manner.

This was a forum for airing opinions and I had an opinion . I didn't think it was silly at all. Its the way I feel, after all I'm a paying customer on this site.

murphymagic

Pretty good discussion. I think this thread has a lot of good valid opinions. In my experience with seven different professionals (all with different ending policies), my least favorite was a jarring alarm to end the time period with a fairly quick exit, like she was leaving work. How you, as a professional, end a session is very important to me. The lasting impression you leave when you leave - sticks with me. 

My very first professional (from another site) was very loose with her timing. I hired her for 2 hours every weekend for a couple months (before she moved far away (sad)). Anyway, with her, when the 2 hours were up, there was a lovely 10-20 minutes of snoozy snuggle bonus closure time that I just loved. It said to me, "I'm enjoying you, too. I don't want to skeedaddle away so quickly." And I tipped her well, and hired her over and over. 

A few professionals set gentle soothing alarms at the 10-minute warning time, which still allowed some snoozy closure time. I thought this was perfectly appropriate. 

And yet others set a nice gentle musical alarm at the end time, but still granted some snooze time. 

As a client, I really appreciate the rhythm of those last 10-20 minutes. I've really enjoyed you for an hour or two (or more); I need a little time to release you. For example, at the end of a yoga session, there's Shavasana -- "in the closing of the practice comes an integration phase, where the effects of the practice are allowed to take hold and penetrate deep into the self. Shavasana is the primary vehicle of that process." Yes. Like that. 

Anyway, I'll stop there  

I'm glad that so many of you chimed in and expressed how important this topic is to you. Although many pros do get it right, I also feel that some have their opinion and completely disregard our feelings.

@murphymagic had some great points

docgatorb

@Morpheus: You couldn't resist that pun.

CarlosHunt

I think that we have to understand that at least with professional cuddlers, it's just a business.  And time is money. Doesn't bother me when they use a timer.  I had one no so good experience when no timer was used, and we ran like 30 mins over with no warning, and she wanted to charge me for the extra 1/2 hour ....it was an enjoyable session, and being my first time with her and trying to be a gentleman, fortunately i did have some extra cash.. But in hindsight it sucked.

@carloshunt do you think that was a ploy to get more money?

@carloshunt that is a good point too. I don't want to go over much because the customer may think they will have to pay more so thankfully it doesn't go over much when I cuddle. (10/20 min)

One time it went over by 30 minutes (it was great company) and felt bad for my client. I would never push for more money. Live and learn

CarlosHunt

@cuddleuptome and Mmmavocados -Honestly, it was her first professional cuddle, so I gave her the benefit of the doubt - but, perhaps it was an attempt to maximize her payment.  If I do decide to see her again I will make it clear as to time and spending limits.

CuddlePanda9

I think it depends on each person. Personally I like to set an alarm not only to mark the session but because I feel it is respecting both my time and the person booking me. So many people have busy lives and things to get back to. I don't jump up right away. I might start slowly getting ready finishing conversation, stretching gently getting ready to leave. But this way I stay on top of the schedule we set. I have been taught in other jobs it is a sign of mutual respect that when a time is set you should stick to it for both parties sake. 

Speaking of mutual respect @cuddlepanda9 If you had to cancell on a client at the last minute, what would you do to make up for their inconvenience?

I'm really glad that this topic has come up:-)  Since day one, I've been using a timer.  So far, no one has complained.  I will communicate with my clients that I will use my timer, and ask if they are comfortable with that.  **when I'm at the client's home, or hotel, depending on the room, a silent clock is not always visible, or a location to place a clock that can be visible**

DAVEPHX

I want to know where we are timewise in a session.   I try and discretely look at my watch after a while.

In Canada with other things legal, once had an escort fall asleep on top of me!  And with an agency, the driver gives a heads up call at about 50 minutes. 

JRose

I really love to give my full attention to my client during a session, not the clock! And thanks to our wonderful technology, "alarm" no longer means being assaulted by those loud, horrible bedside clock alarms! We can set an alarm to play lovely, soothing music when it goes off. I set music to begin playing softly 10 minutes before the session is over. It gently brings us out of the sleepy cuddle haze and allows us time for a lovely goodbye snuggle. It is quite nice! :-) ♡

JRose

This is a really cute song to play at the end of a session! ♡♡♡

cuddleaddict

There are a lot of great alarm/natural sound apps out there. The one I settled on is Android "Alarm Clock Xtreme Free"  Lots of natural sounds to choose from & many options. You can adjust to ramp up the volume over time.  I set one short alarm 15 minutes before the scheduled end & relate we've got about 15 minutes left, do you have any preferences how would you'd like to finish? The end alarm is similar & ramps up gradually, but repeats every 2 minutes. I contract out of an organization that rents a site, & someone else may have a visitor scheduled shortly, so I must use an alarm, reluctantly.