I am so sorry to hear about your situation. What I would have done in the situation if I were to leave earlier is to accommodate an extra hour or 2 for a free cuddle session. I would also bring more stuff along to make the cuddle session very fun. I wouldn't expect to be tipped at all if I didn't complete my job or go above and beyond. Even though I go above and beyond with my sessions, I still don't expect any tips at all, but it does get me ecstatic to receive it. No pro should pressure you to pay any additional fee without first hand discussion and I always make sure to discuss everything before hand when booking what are the expectations between the cuddlier and I. They are supposed to discuss everything before and not afterwards about the expectation of payment. Tipping is definitely optional and not an obligation. There shouldn't be any "hidden fees" at all. I wish for you to have a better cuddlier who treats you right.
@UCpaaHVg6u0 There are standards developed in the industry, still a work in progress. Sites like CC generally don't apply to the standards. CC is more like off the record massages where uncertified people are offering massages. Some may be awesome, some are terrible, you never know what you're going to get. (Sorry). Some people prefer the uncertified cuddlers because they are less likely to feel clinical, but there are risks in that there really aren't standards like what you're talking about. It's a free for all as long as you stay platonic, you can do whatever you want. 🤷♀️ But there is absolutely a whole industry being developed outside of sites like CC.
@desi_babe Speaking as part of this "biased sample" who regularly hires pros, I must say that I don't add a tip at all. And I certainly don't expect "selfies" or additional text messages outside of a regular session. In fact, to be clear, that is exactly why I don't tip - so as to not add any expectation that I would like such "extras." I'm hiring someone for a platonic cuddle session - and that's it. The typical "tip" is that if I get a great session, I'll book again.
As far as booking priority goes, if a pro won't respond to me in time so they can prioritize others, they clearly have enough business and don't need mine.
If a pro offers lower quality service based on whether or not a client customarily adds a tip, that's just not a pro I want.
I'm a professional and I NEVER expect a tip. I have gotten them and have been very grateful but I still don't expect them. Also, I make sure my clients feel affection and physical touch, that's what I'm there for, not to spew my personal life to them. I will chat and if they want to have a conversation, that's great but I let the client decide that. They are paying for services so I make sure they get the best experience with me. I hate to hear anyone having a bad cuddle experience and I hope this 1 experience doesn't deter you from trying again. If I lived closer, I'd offer you a discount rate just to show you that cuddling can be a great experience with the right person. Lol I hope you left truthful karma. Whether she was having a bad day or not, you leave your personal life at the door. Just like you have to do at a regular job. Constructive criticism always helps me grow as a person so hopefully she'll take it as a lesson.
@Armyvet330 That is terrible, just terrible.
@taminator Tho no one is obliged or should feel obliged to be an ear for venters during a cuddle, I love your attitude. You are special. It's so generous and kind that you are willing to give more than you get sometimes when you see someone could really use that. I might have to post this in the what me smile thread
@desi_babe I do not permit gift giving. Chocolates and flowers give way too much of a non-platonic vibe for me. And I treat my clients with lower budgets the exact same as those with higher budgets. 🤷♀️ With the authentic but professional vibe I give, tipping is very rare. Usually it's just people rounding up.
@ubergigglefritz ooo yeah, I would think gift-giving is a no-no. I would think that means the enthusiast has developed a desire beyond a platonic friendship if they are buying gifts for people.
@CuddleDuncan yes I totally agree! Like OP admitted, she had about 4 5 star reviews.
Before people assume offering selfies to their cuddle clients is the norm, it's not . Most pros do not offer selfies to their clients. I find these types of requests very uncomfortable and borderline misleading. I'm a cuddler, not your gf, date or love interest. I prioritize all clients and tipping while appreciated, does not lend any client a fast pass to booking with me. My schedule dictates my availability, not how much you tip. I'm not trying to be bitchy but I certainly don't want new members thinking this is how platonic cuddling operates across the board. We should have strong boundaries to keep our clients from getting attached. Sending clients selfies and texting them throughout the day because they are paying you extra is encouraging behavior that will bite you in the ass.
@Rezz You are correct. You are not being or sounding bitchy, but I can understand why you felt the possible need to include that in your post. So many people can be helped if they listen to you.
[deleting this comment too because engaging is not worth it]
This is a strange profession all around. I dont ask my dentist to give me selfies.
@ubergigglefritz @Rezz 💯 @Mike403 LOL
I dont think sharing selfies with clients is against the rules of the site. Some members may have opinions of why that isn't a good idea. It's not a personal attack.
I think tipping is awsome.....if the cuddler gives you a great expierence. Which it sounds like you didn't get.
@Mike403 i think I’m gonna start asking my dentist for selfies. I could use the motivation to get pearly whites of my own 😂
I’m on team optional and I think asking wasn’t right however as someone who tries to keep their prices low tips even small ones help achieve that. I don’t think a vending machine should be asking for tips but when I was a waitress (long ago) min wage was 4$ because they expected us to make tips, then tip out everyone and their brother. Tip your servers ladies and gents.
@Charlie_Bear yes, I know someone who had a client who bought them a phone or a tv or something. Feels so wrong to me, personally. 😇
I don't see a problem with client selfies as long as they are appropriate and don't misrepresent the situation. I'm with @taminator that cuddles should be mutual - helping can feel 100x better than being helped.
@cde123 Agreed, with consent. A professional should never assume that a client is interested in being their therapist. 😇 There are too many instances of people being professional cuddlers when they are the ones in need of a cuddler. It's not fair to charge people to meet your own needs, even though obviously cuddle sessions can be very fulfilling and rewarding for professionals. 😊 A professional should have the capacity to be wholly giving if that's what's desired. In addition, there is a difference between mutual and wholly taking. 😉 I would feel bad if I had a session at a point in time where I was so much in need that I was taking without any level of awareness of what the other person needed. 🤷♀️
I tend to tip massage therapists and my Traditional Chinese doctor. While it is not required, they are doing my health and wellbeing a serious service, and if I can afford it in my budget, I make it rain (maybe drizzle or a slight chance of precipitation).
If they sucked, then all bets are off. I'll tell them to look both sides before crossing the street.
@stormydaycuddle while waiters do make well below minimum wage and work for tips, pro cuddlers don't. The comparison doesn't hold.
Agreed @ubergigglefritz my sessions are for the client always. I wouldn’t feel fulfilled with my work at all if the session didn’t focus on the client. We’re the professionals
@stormydaycuddle - I agree with you about tipping wait staff. I do food delivery on the weekends as a side hustle and don't make any money unless people tip. However, this topic is about pro cuddlers. You set your own rates what you feel your time is worth and are not forced to work for a certain base pay and expect tips.
No, there’s no need to tip a professional cuddler. You’re already paying a high fee even without tipping.
Also, don’t go back to her, and probably leave karma for the benefit of her next would be victim.
Although, keep in here's what goes into the high fee especially if they are hosting:
In my estimation, unless they're charging about $150/hr and have a regular roster of clients, they're not really rolling in the Benjamin's (especially if they're only working 2-3 days a week w 1-3 clients per day) they just have a good side gig to pay the bills.
Also, a one hour session requires approximately 1.5 hours of prep outside of the session - so the dollar breakdown per hour plus percentage they have to hand over to CC is not huge - it's not passive income, it's work and seems like hard (but rewarding) work.
@cylee1180 💜 thanks. There is a LOT of unpaid time that goes into this work, and some of us care about staying more on the lower end of the price range, even if more would be very helpful in survival. 😇
@ubergigglefritz Yeah, someone's gotta stand up for ya'll and the necessary service and hospitality that you provide with conscientiousness - I don't see you as an evil corporate giant Jeff Bezos robbing cuddlers of their hard earned money and their life's savings.
You're a human being trying to make a living in a niche community and market without starving nor hitting the bank.
If I thought that tipping was expected, it will make me hesitant to ever book a session. I dont want to be the asshole client who didn't tip and I shouldn't have to be thinking about how much extra to add beyond the rates set by pros. That kind of ruins the experience.
Would have replied with something like that, "I agree, for great service, and I think my tip reflected that".
But I would have also just left a karma on her profile reflecting my experience and not make a post bashing like this, just too many of these. If really felt the need to ask, should have simply just started a thread with, "are tips standard with cuddling?" While a fair question, just like all tipping situations, no easy answer. Just my humble opinion.
I can see why some might think they should be, when I get massage at Massage Envy, they always ask when checking out, "would you like to leave gratuity?" But they be clever as its not the therapist asking, but the receptionist. Similar to why retail and other non-typical places do now, as they just use common checkout/receipt software with that dreaded Tip __________ line stairing at you in the face all indirectly like making you feel guilty. Retail people be making sure shelves are stocked with all the stuff we buy, guess they deserve a tip. Reminds me of SHs on my ship getting NAMs for keeping the vending machine stocked. /endtangent