@CuddleWho I was specifically responding to your claims that sex work was so common and on the rise. If you take the total number of sex workers and divide it by the number of people in the world, it's still a minority. If you take the number of OF creators and divide it by the number of OF users, it's a minority. If you take the number of adult industry and sex-work adjacent creators and divide it by the number of people who use the internet for other things, it's still a minority. That is what I mean by uncommon because that is what the word uncommon means - not common. I'd be curious what your definition means.
I did not at any point say that sex workers appearing on this site were likewise at the same ratio, @Rezz . Do not put words into my mouth. I did not ever say that sex workers using this site to garner clients was not a problem - with my first comment I just cautioned people about how we talk about the issue, and then after that I've addressed the misconception that's been getting discussed - that sex work overall is on the rise (not just on CC).
@CuddleWho yes, shady business practices get denounced all the time - it's the way that they get addressed when talking about women entrepreneurs and especially sex workers that's the problem I was raising. And scamming is scamming, no matter the industry. There is a difference between a woman having a profile on social media to promote her OF and messaging people to get them to visit her site, and her actively pretending to want a relationship. If you have legitimately had someone scam you that way, I am sorry that happened, but it could have happened with any scammer online these days. But if it was just the fact that she had a profile and you assumed what her intent was, and are just mad that she isn't want you wanted her to be? That's on you. If she never claimed to be anything but what she was, it isn't a scam. And a lot of those OF scams are bots that aren't even actual people but stolen content from creators with fake accounts.
And as far as why only the top creators make money, it's not because of an oversaturated market - it's because of 1) having to build a fan base and the top creators are celebrities who bring millions of fans when they join, and 2) that people (namely men) are not willing to pay much (if anything) for their porn and other adult content when there is free content available even if that free content is largely supporting an exploitive industry and copyright infringements. If OF creators were able to charge fair prices for their content without losing subscribers, it'd be a whole different story. If we shut down the porn sites that allow stolen adult content, illegal content, exploitation, etc. it'd be another story. If sex work were decriminalized so that platforms didn't ban users for promoting themselves, or if they treated celebrities the same way they treat average users, it'd be another story.
I don't stand up for people just because of their gender - I speak up when I see people saying things that are one-sided and/or harmful regardless of the genders involved, and if you search my forum participation you would see as such.
As someone that has their very first cuddle session scheduled in a few days,this has been an eye opening conversation..Never thought I'd potentially have to deal with someone offering "non-platonic" sessions and that's not what I'm looking for...Call me naive but that never crossed my mind.Cuddling is something that I've been wanting to try for sometime and I'm sure I made a session with a respected pro cuddler,but I'd be lying if I said this didn't give me a second thought.
‘If you’re a hammer, all you see is nails’ Almost always, your experience reflects the company you keep, people you gravitate to, even non verbal cues, body language, facial expressions. I know way more about what a person is all about by watching more than listening. Before coming to CC I had no experience with 99% of discussion topics in these forums. Fascinating learning experience about subcultures I had little knowledge of.
And @cuddlefaery, I agree with what you write, regardless of my past experience but just from a humane pov.
@jonnyquest don't let this put you off. Cuddling is like anything, like crossing the road. If you don't look left and right you risk being run over. The vast majority of cuddle sessions are safe and happy occasions. You've done the right thing in choosing an experienced professional.
Consider mentioning your concerns to your professional in advance. The right professionals for you will be helpful and understanding.
Thanks @CuddleDuncan The pro I set up the session with has a lot of positive karma on her site so I think I did a good job choosing..But thanks to my allergies kicking my a** right now I just might cancel(and I plan on paying) and hopefully we can reschedule..
@jonnyquest just talk to her about what's going on with you, I'm sure you'll figure something out.
My sympathies on the allergies. I'm a loratadine man myself: it changed my life.
It's a big reason I'm getting burned out on this work. The rate of inquiries that turn into sessions is essentially 0 for me at this point, and has been for awhile, because most have a sexual undertone or expectation. Why see me when there are more sexual cuddlers around? I'm a better choice for people looking for an authentic and caring experience, but I think most people seeking cuddles are seeking something more sexual feeling at least, if not actually sexual. That's been my experience and it's definitely gotten worse. 😔
@ubergigglefritz 🫂🫂🫂
@CuddleDuncan I sort of wish I could clone me. I need a me. 🫣 Lol.
@CuddleDuncan thankfully she was understanding.My phone was super slow(been having issues with it and it was getting annoying) but I did eventually pay her on Cash App..And I told her that I wouldn't blame her if she said no but that I would like to reschedule a cuddle session with her..I do owe her for being pretty cool about the situation ..
@jonnyquest in my experience the good ones are always understanding and helpful.
Reported, reviewed, and removed. @Morpheus - there is a whole thread in the Professional Cuddling forum to complain or give your opinion about Pro pricing - never here in the general forums. Also, comparing Pro prices with prostitution is not acceptable nor tolerated. Pros dictate their own rates, not CC. [-Sid]
Wow, this has been a fascinating topic! Being a sapio, I just love all the amazing articulation, even those who seem to be in opposition with one another @cuddlefaery and @CuddleWho
As is usual with me, I find myself in agreement with you both, and I tend to enjoy agreeing with opposite pov's often.
My 2 cents centers around the supposed binary of platonic vs. non-platonic......I think there's a lot of gray area, and paradox, not the least of which is Plato himself, who clearly and historically enjoyed non-Platonic relationships with his young male students. I have always been amused and confused as to how his name got wrapped up in non-sexual activities.
So, do most of you think it is a binary? Is there a clear defining line between sexual and non-sexual activity? After all, a few decades ago, cuddling itself would be considered a sexual, or at least a sexually-stimulating, activity. Hugging in the past was considered sexual. On the other hand, there are many places where kissing is NOT considered a sexual activity. Much of the time, it's the energy surrounding the activity. Affection itself can certainly stimulate (at least) someone's imagination, if not their body.
I don't know....seems like the issue is far more complex, doesn't it? But forums like this does help by spreading the opportunity for dialogue and understanding. Gratitude for all here....
@beaubliss in terms of general relationships between people, no I do not think it's a binary between platonic and non-platonic. I personally enjoy the gray area, like you stated, and being able to be more flexible than the usual social constructs allow - thus why I have "alternative" relationships in my personal life.
However, in terms of this site and for the purposes of professional cuddling, a very clear and definitive line is necessary both because of the site TOS and because of the varying state of legality for providing non-platonic services in different locations. In an ideal world, sure, I'd love to be able to go wibbly-wobbly and throw out labels and expectations, just go off of clear communication and boundary setting practices to ensure professional ethics are maintained. But that can't happen until sex work and companion/escort services have lost their stigma and are fully decriminalized across the board - so it's a long way away.
@cuddlefaery I'm entirely with you on the binary question. I have also had very happy and successful connections which had both platonic and non-platonic elements. In life I mean, not here. One of the great strengths of the strict rule of platonic only is that it can allow you to explore platonic and physical intimacy to a much greater depth than is usually the case.
@beaubliss