@LonelyTXn74 What problem are you trying to solve there? Background checks are not likely to identify sex workers. Most of sex work is legal and very few are arrested for the parts that aren’t. And making them be enthusiasts first is just going to reduce the number since most are not going to be willing to do that. I don’t really see a problem with Pros. If you don’t want to risk it, stick with the ones which have more karma. If you’re willing to try a new one, go take your chances.
Personally, I think a starting probationary period where someone with a new pro status will have to prove they are on the up and up to a site official might be better than cuddle for karma before becoming one. That’s dangerous having young men and women’s fates being put into the hands of someone random. I think good enthusiasts forget how many creepers there are because they aren’t one. It’s just to random to be effective. Although a lot of people who go with this say it because it would mean more free cuddles to be had with women that’s what’s usually being implied which is a little wrong too when you think about it. There are plenty of male enthusiasts so I assume it’s a gender thing. Or this wouldn’t even be a conversation. Because there are men on this site who are enthusiasts. Cuddle men. Easy peasy. Right? How about prove you’ve exhausted all your cuddle resources by cuddling men too or don’t demand more women be forced into your chosen avenue of cuddles. Some cuddle pros some don’t. They are both choices. Not a right.
Also, I’m not above giving free cuddles to people I find in need and genuine. So don’t argue with me that my arguments are all based on capitalism. Look at my price.
@stormydaycuddle
demand more women be forced into your chosen avenue
There were some bad ideas suggested in this thread, but nobody said anyone should be forced to do anything.
@CuddleWho Pushing women into the arena. Too strong a word choice.
@zerocantaloupe not the most accurate analogy. Here's a better one. You kill all the weeds, but the number of flowers remains the same, meanwhile rabbits show up and eat all the flowers so now you just have a barren field. in the end, no increase in flowers or cuddles...just a lot of dead weeds.
@stormydaycuddle I just wanted to salute you for maintaining reasonable cuddling rates. Thank you for being so awesome
@Melancholy The economy sucks. I have another job giving cheaper cuddles won’t hurt me. But affordable cuddles are important. I’d have to cut my cuddling by a ton if I didn’t charge. So I guess that’s why I get uppity for both sides occasionally. Enthusiasts and pros have points.
@stormydaycuddle its a job, and just like everyone else in this thread who does a job they want to be paid the maximum amount they are worth. Selling yourself short for others isn't a service to them but a disservice to yourself.
In the wise words of Rod Tidwell:
In my humble personal opinion.
@mickey46834 - Please report anyone who is trying to charge you more than what is posted. It’s dishonest to the client who is booking and they are also cheating the site, which is probably why they are doing it.
@tacpmurg We’ll have to disagree. I do pretty well. I was going to be sassy about it but I don’t think you meant to be toward me. I think it’s better to build genuine relationships, look at your market, economic situations and personal morality when it comes to how you approach work.
I still want to share that if anyone wants to pay me to cuddle I’ll switch my account. I also promise to learn to be the best cuddle experience you’ve ever had. I’m a man of service first, so since i can’t give these amazing cuddles away i might as well provide them for a fee. Just like the gym. just hit this link @BashfulLoner to provide local services.
@stormydaycuddle you're right, I wasn't trying to sass you, its simply my own personal belief every person should get paid their worth when they work. I am sure you have dreams of travel, home, car, stability... all of those things require money.
If anyone is upset about your prices they should do the exact same thing and demand more money, not pull someone else down simply trying to fulfill their financial needs.
@tacpmurg understood. ☺️
@tacpmurg Yeah it's a job but it's a pretty unusual job, isn't it?
For instance I don't think many people are hurt or surprised at the fact that in order to get someone to perform an oil change on their car, they require payment. But many people are hurt or surprised to discover that someone wants money to cuddle them. Cuddling was traditionally something people did freely to express and receive affection.
I don't begrudge cuddlers charging as much as they want, but I also think a cuddler charging less than the market rate is very different than an auto mechanic charging less than the market rate.
@CuddleWho If a cuddler wants to be altruistic for whatever reason, I see no issue with that (though I hardly understand it). I just believe that the people who do begrudge pro cuddlers charging what they are worth or NOT seeing it as some social service are silly.
Complaining, disparaging pros, haggling, its all so ... well it strikes me that they would certainly not stand for it if their customers at their work did the same.
I will cheer everyone to demand more whether as pro cuddler or as a fry cook. Get yours, don't demand someone not get theirs.
I don’t think other pros should charge less. Like I said personal morality. I just don’t want people thinking capitalism fueled my rant. Also, some people have different circumstances. City living, kids, time etc.. so I get it
I get pretty pissed every time I see the pros should cuddle random people for “training”. Training should be official measurable and safe if it’s going to be.
I've met people working for non-profits who feel similarly about having a higher mission than maximizing the amount of cash they take in while doing their jobs, and I must say it increases my level of respect for them noticeably.
To me it's a fine line between pro cuddlers who I feel are all about the money and those who, while making money, don't treat it as a nothing more than cash cow to make as much as possible. Business. Profit. Marketing . Clients. Leads. It all just doesn't feel right to me when it comes to cuddling. After a while you can get a sense after meeting up with them. Also by their forum posts.
@snugbuddy I agree. I don’t mind the reach out messages but there are pros who seem more business like in their approach while others seem more like a real human that happens to get paid to cuddle. And it does shine through in their forum posts. But it also shows in the messages when they reach out. Some will say hi but it seems artificial as they tell you how great their sessions are and what their schedule is. Others just say hi, maybe mention a post they read of yours, or what they liked about your profile. Maybe they are being manipulative but I would rather be manipulated kindly and without obvious pretense than someone who comes across like a Costco marketing e-mail.
I started off as a regular cuddler, I didn't realize we could charge until a lot later. Not once did I ever charge anyone for cuddles. But I became a pro as I have trouble keeping work due to depression and anxiety. And this has become an amazing way to make a living and I've met and hung out with so many amazing people.
I'm so sorry for those of you who have been taken advantage of with the "enthusiasts" who deceived you. I hope you're able to find people who are honest and don't decieve you again.
@zerocantaloupe i have a huge thing for Tim Curry. 💕💕💕
Just a point as an awesome guy out here that hasn’t received any response to my proposal. It’s pretty clear some people can charge and some people are willing to pay. The reasons are difficult to understand
@BashfulLoner
It’s pretty clear some people can charge and some people are willing to pay.
Yes, some people are women and some people are men.
The reasons are difficult to understand
The reasons are pretty easy to understand. Women (usually) have a higher threshold to overcome before they'll be willing to be intimate with someone (whether intimacy means sex or not). The nature of that threshold varies -- they might want their partner to make them feel safe, or be very attractive, or invest a long time in conversation and relationship development, or whatever else -- but there is usually some sort of barrier. By contrast, men (usually) don't have a particularly high threshold to overcome before intimacy. Many men would be willing to cuddle (or, in another context, have sex with) any non-crazy average looking woman they just met.
Consequently, cuddles from women are a little bit scarce and difficult to obtain, and cuddles from men are abundant and very easy to obtain. Thus, people seeking cuddles from women are more likely to be willing to pay for them -- they are either unable or unwilling to consistently overcome women's higher threshold to cuddle, so paying is a shortcut. And people seeking cuddles from men have no need to pay for them - if I wanted to I have zero doubt I could easily schedule several (free) cuddles with men today.
@CuddleWho so we all understand. I always like to understand how it works, and that’s the key.
Cuddle therapy/professional Cuddling, and enthusiast Cuddling are twoentirely different things. One is a service where the session is entirely focused on the client and led by the client where they can feel nurtured and taken care of. Being a cuddle therapist is a profession. Enthusiast Cuddling is a mutual activity and does not provide the same level of support that professional Cuddle therapy provides. Cuddle therapy is more than just being a human body pillow.
I think the problem here is the lack of enthusiast Cuddling and people not understanding the difference between Cuddle therapy and enthusiast Cuddling.
Well it is not free there are cuddle parties and cuddle events for much less money than a cuddle session where there is some education on how to navigate cuddling in a group setting with other enthusiasts and that might be a great venue for people who want to meet potential cuddle buddies. I think it’s really hard for two people to realistically come together and cuddle platonically it without either having the education or communication skills needed to do so, so I think that is why we see a lack of female enthusiasts.
Yep exactly. That's why I changed to cuddling everyone. The community has changed
@tacpmurg I agree. Those who take up cuddling as a full time career path should think of the dollars to pay the bills! Inflation is high now!