Has anyone ever attended a cuddle party? If so, where and what was it like? HP just did a story on a cuddle party. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cuddle-party-strangers-77_n_6637caffe4b0e44cfb11fd2e
Very interesting article. Her group cuddle was a completely different experience from almost all the ones I've been to, where nearly every person is engaged in cuddling. There are times some break off to grab snacks, but for the most part, everyone is in pairs, trios, or groups of various cuddle positions/types.
Some spoon in placid silence, sometimes regulars have a more raucous time snuggling and giggling, others nestle up to the facilitator like she's a pyramid of strength (she is), some offer shoulder or back massages and work to provide healing touch, others wrap around each other like their lives depend on it, even though they may have just met. 😌
I've never gone to an official Cuddle Party, but all the group cuddles I've attended follow the Cuddle Party format and guidelines. (They're also less than half the cost the article described; I attribute that to New York pricing.)
My group cuddle experiences have been absolutely lovely, despite the fact that I had severe anxiety going into them, initially.
I wrote about my experience here, if you're interested.
~ Sunset Snuggles
🦄 Enthusiast 🏞 Travel Fiend 🐘 Animal Lover
Thanks for that article. I hope my experience with cuddle parties isn’t like hers. The older we get, the harder I believe it is to find others who want to cuddle us.
@mariacoss39 At a house cuddle last year, I met a woman in her late 60's who said she'd had her back rubbed, but never scratched. I was able to offer her her very first back scratch, ever. She was delighted.
From my experiences, these events are all about acceptance. It's a beautiful thing to give and receive. ❤️🩹💜
@HaileyHugs thank you for sharing this article. Interesting experience with and perspective on cuddle parties. I identify with some of the awkwardness described, as well as my own awareness of needing to let go of any judgemental thoughts. My first cuddle party was very awkward for me and also gave me the opportunity to be more open to new experiences. The consent exercise each time I went to a cuddle party reinforced how important it is, especially for platonic touch.
I went to a lot of cuddle parties in the past. Almost all like @SunsetSnuggles description. I always had a good time. Even with different facilitators, same formula was used.
There were multiple ones with older or disabled people and all were welcomed and cuddled. Guests and facilitators as well as helper all were accommodating and welcoming to everyone's. If anyone was uncomfortable or had questions they were helped. I also made good friends from them.
The Author had a lot of expectations and pre-conceived ideas. More like a group of friends in a puppy pile. That usually happen when you have multiple alumni participants.
The consent work shop in the beginning has help me as well. It can put new people at ease and has shown me how to respect others. It also helped me with my own boundaries.
I highly recommend going to one if possible. Mine were all in and around the Chicago area.
I'm very interested in attending a cuddle party. I've never been to one and would to have that experience. 🙂
She looks damn good for 77. Wonder how old her husband is because he looks quite young.
This feels like an encouraging phrase to me. Alumni reunion is very soon for me. I can't say I really know anyone well, and it's the first time any of them (except current coworkers) have seen me in my current form. But I have hopes that there will be people to cuddle with.
I had a nightmare attempt at a cuddle party around 2017. I purchased a ticket online and attended. We had to sign in. Then we changed into PJs and waited in the living room for 15-30 mins. There were about 8-10 folks much older than me and they happened to all be white. I walked in and acknowledged the room. Everyone ignored me. I sat on the couch not too far from two younger Indian guys in their 20s. They too were ignored - everyone else knew each other and were very familiar. One guy had really bad teeth and the most over grown toe nails that they curled over his toes. The group members were already leaning on each other and felt right at home and pretended that the three of us were invisible. I felt socially uncomfortable - and the host was still by the front door to wait for any new guests.
Then the group in the room started talking about tantra, and something in me told me it's time to dip out. I changed and walked to my car. Then I remembered that I forgot my jacket. lol I went back for it and I saw everyone in the living room turned their heads at me as I got my jacket, I left the closet door open to "hide" my exit. I felt so awkward and uncomfortable. lol I mean I might go to one through CC someday or at least a meetup if I know someone there, but never a totally random slew of strangers. It's a real crap shoot. lol The host and guests can make all the difference.
@Minestrone101 Geez, that's awful. I'm sorry they were so cliqueish, and seemingly racist.
At the group cuddles I attend, our fearless leader often wisely assigns an early bird to open the door for people, so she can float around and attend to everyone, where needed.
If you ever come to Colorado, I'd love to take you to one. Last group, we had a mix of races and mother tongues, which is always lovely.
Our facilitator is careful to break small groups off into a mixture of regulars and newcomers. She also scoops up anyone who isn't paired up, into a sort of puppy pile, so no one is neglected. 😌
I will admit that it's hard not to get caught up with your friends, especially when you only see them every few months like me, but I think our group does a good job of greeting newcomers, introducing themselves, and being inclusive.
I have social anxiety, but if I'm interested in getting to know a new person better, I'll work up my courage and offer them my contact info. There's been at least three times off the top of my head where I've met a new person at group, exchanged info, and met up for an individual cuddle within the next few days. 😊
Anyway, I hope you have better experiences, in the future! 🤗
@SunsetSnuggles Thanks. I think inclusivity is the difference between being friendly and cliquish. It doesn't hurt to be friendly. I remember at my old martial arts school, people have told me they felt so welcome the first time they were there just bc I said hello when they arrived... they remembered that a decade later. even if I forgot.
Interesting. Is there a cuddle scene in Montana?
Thanks for posting this @HaileyHugs! I think I picked up a couple things the poster did that may have caused her distress and disillusion. I am interested in feedback though because I am new to cuddling.
I felt she was drawn to attractiveness more than I would expect for a platonic cuddle party. She says she feels "cuddle-worthy" because she thinks she is cute and her husband says she is beautiful. Her lines "It's not sexual, although it can easily become so, but not at the cuddle party", "our restraint would be erotically charged", "I looked around the room trying to decide if these folks were hot or not" makes me curious about where those came from and why.
I also noticed she only asked to do things to others, not to receive any touch or cuddles herself. I'm guessing it was from fear of rejection, but if so, that was a self-fulfilling prophecy. She even said "My few requests were never denied" though it is true "no one ever asked to touch me." Hearing your stories, maybe the facilitator could have noticed and helped.
Maybe this was her first cuddle with stranger experience and was too much to handle. At this point, I'd probably do the same. Just like with anyone, including myself, I would want to know what she did or didn't do that could have improved that disappointing experience.
I loved hearing about the positive experiences most of you had! It makes me hopeful that I can attend a cuddle party down the line and have a positive experience too.
Sorry to hear about your bad experience @Minestrone101, that sounds awful. @SunsetSnuggles your "fearless leader" sounds so welcoming and wonderful
Removed post, this isn't appropriate. [/Mark]
@KindTony I thoroughly agree with your assessment; the woman in the article definitely attached sexual energy and components to platonic cuddling that is not supposed to be there.
@Notacat1 It's platonic.
How does one get invited to a cuddle party?
@BrotherB3ar You don't (until you become a regular, then you may be reached out to).
You search them and buy a ticket on sites like MeetUp or Eventbrite. 😊
@HarleyGirlKate If you find one in your 2 locations and you want to attend with a buddy I would love to have that experience. Worth the drive to have a pro on my side. I am so energized with one on one cuddling that I imagine a group setting would be over the endorphin moon.
@HaileyHugs I’ve been to many cuddle parties, just outside of Boston. The article is a fair summary of it, although no food is allowed in the cuddle space where I attend. Drinks must be in closed containers. A negative Covid test that day is mandatory.
The people who attend make each party unique. Sometimes it’s better than others. I find that I often encounter people who have similar desires for cuddling as myself, and I enjoy it so I keep going to parties.
I recommend trying it out if you can find one nearby. You can read the rules online at the cuddle party website ahead of time, that way you’ll already be familiar with them when they are discussed.
@BrotherB3ar try cuddleparty.com Meetup.com in your area, I could have Cuddle parties as well as other types of Cuddle groups.
Eventbrite is usually connected by selling tickets to most events in local areas every where.
She's lovely, I would have enjoyed cuddling her.
FOR ME: Cuddling is a very private and personal engagement, I need to be feeling it for that specific woman, wanting to be next to just her. I can only give my best, be my best, and “receive you” if I feel that desire, connection and juju. (I’ve been asked more than a few times why I don’t become pro, and among the many reasons, the above has always been my primary).
Besides, I couldn’t share my best cuddle self in any environment that would require me to “sign in on a sheet of paper”, listen to a presentation and then awkwardly be forced into a position to pick and choose who I may or may not want to share my value with (and vice versa). I want not to reject or be rejected for any of a myriad of reasons, big or small.
I have however, been fortunate enough to experience MFF threesome cuddles. Those too have been in my wheelhouse on lucky occasions and have been absolutely beautiful experiences, but outside of that, an environment and culture of these cuddle parties are just not conducive for me personally.
I’m not knocking them though; hey to each his own. I’m just saying for me I can’t imagine feelin’ it like that in a group of just-met strangers. Apropos to all of that, I’m sharing this pic that’s been in my profile for a long time. It says it all:
Yeah, I agree to what others have said - no one leaves my cuddle events feeling left out! There are systems in place for everyone to engage even if they don't want touch, it is after all a social event. And there is space for someone who wants to cuddle to ask for it! I suggest attending parties with someone who is trained and certified to lead this specific kind of event, there is a delicate balance to walk and needs expert leadership.
I'm hosting one in Austin on June 14th!
Edited this post. Please be mindful that selling tickets (or being perceived as such) will get your post flagged. [/Mark]
@hoping4snugs: I would be delighted to do this with you if it happens to come about. 🙂
As it happens I might be attending my first cuddle party as the guest of a very close friend in a month or so. I'll report back how it goes.
Sexual remark or at least enough people think it is. [Mark]
@panda619 You mean this?
@panda619 posted: "I still haven’t had 2 chicks at the same time."
This is a really inappropriate way of referencing double cuddles.
On this thread alone, we have the above comment, @WestsideMarc calling them a "threesome", and @Notacat1 equating group cuddles to an orgy.
Platonic cuddling is not sexual, nor is it a substitute for something sexual. There should be no sexual vibe to it, and if there is, that's your sign to change cuddle positions or take a short break.
Double cuddles are not threesomes, and women are not something to be "had".
Havent done a cuddle party yet, but I plan on going to sam diego real soon to cuddle out there again
To OP: no and I am sure I wouldn't either. For me it's a private affair. Not big on social gatherings either.
@SunsetSnuggles Ya know, I was afraid that term may have been misconstrued here. The term threesome does not always connote something sexual, but I get that it can. I had made some other edits on my post and I thought about this one too, but it had already gone beyond that 24 hr limit so I could not. (The sentence would still have made sense by just removing that word) so hopefully this will clarify.
As far as @panda619 comment on “2 chicks” - yeah I knew he was gonna get called out on that one! Lol. I was almost gonna PM him directly and advise a re-phrase…