Sometimes during a session I'm asked "Did you set a timer?" and it got me wondering who is responsible for setting the timer?
It is categorically the professional's role to keep track of time.
Probably just one more thing to be decided beforehand. If I were hosting, I would do it.
As a Pro I always keep track of time. The goal is to relax and the Client shouldnt have to worry about keeping time
One of the things that makes a pro a pro is always having an eye on the clock.
I never ever set a timer. I know most Pro’s do and I get it. It just doesn’t feel natural for me. I have a sense of how much time has passed but wait till we wrap things up, end the session organically. And no @CharlesInWI, all Pro’s don’t watch the clock or spend time on their phones, please don’t generalize. Thanks! ☺️
I set a timer and wear a watch so I can give the client a 10 minute warning so they have time to wrap up the session and not feel startled when the timer goes off. I am very time blind, so having a timer set allows me to remain present and not constantly watch the clock.
I always set the timer about 10 minutes before the end so that we can snuggle back into it for a bit. Plus, I have so many cuddlers that I’ve gotten close with to the point where I’m comfortable enough where I may doze with them. A small timer to remind me I have a hubby waiting for me helps keep me on track no matter how amazing the snuggle is.
Technically, the pro as it's their time that is worth money in this situation. If they don't and they go over, it's them giving away "free" time, so it's better for it to be a conscious decision rather than by accident.
That said, in all practicality? Whomever has somewhere to be right after 🤣
I usually set a silent vibrate alarm for 10-15 mins before the end of the session, then another one for the end. From teaching I learned just how very important transitions can be and how planning for them can make a world of difference in how smoothly they go. Since I can have bad time-blindness, or either or both of us might fall asleep, an alarm is a good idea, and a silent vibration on my wrist is far less jarring than anything else.
The 10-15 minute closure time is important too because it allows us to slowly come out of the session, check in with each other, see if there's any last minute activities we might need (a pose we missed, neck rub, head stitches, a tight squeeze, a quick dance party to get the blood flowing again).
So I sincerely do not know this—if a pro does not set a timer and we go over by an hour which happens frequently is that a TOS discretion? None have ever said anything, but if they did, I would not pay. But is it against the rules to provide an extra hour of time without charging, or is it an ethical question, or an action that is perfectly acceptable?
I would think it is the responsibility of the pro. I have kept an eye on my clock or phone out of being conscientious.
The Pro
@carrieanne
I’m perfectly content with how I express myself, but thank you for your concern.
@FunCartel nope, if the pro decides to "gift" a free hour that's totally their right as a business owner. If they charge for it, they just have to manually adjust a payment to CC to cover the 15% fee.
@FunCartel - an hourly rate was agreed upon prior to the cuddle, yes? But neither party set a timer? No, it's not against TOS. If you agreed to x amount of time, then that's the agreement. The Pro is not "gifting" per se, but they are also not charging more than what was agreed.
Since you mentioned ethics, I'll share my own experience prior to CC. I was a repeat client and booked a Pro in Phoenix for 2 hours. That day it was 125 degrees outside, and their place was 60 inside (A/C). We cuddled and both fell asleep right through our respective timers by 30 mins and continued cuddling another 30 mins before we realized the time. The Pro insisted on the agreed upon 2 hours. I agreed and paid for 2 hours. Then I left cash for the extra hour at the edge of the bed as I left. Their "hey, you didn't have to do that!" phone call on the way to my hotel was nice, and expected.
@Sideon That was kind and sweet of you to do that. I would not have expected it either.
Yeah, unless they agreed to additional time, I would stick to what we had previously agreed to even if we went over. My last cuddle session, he asked for another hour so we extended it and we still went over 10-20 minutes but that was fine.
One of the tasks of a professional cuddler is to set a timer or keep up with the time; however, they see fit. My job as the client is to be ready for the professional when they arrive according to our prior agreement and to keep them safe during the session. It is all about communicating before the session.
If I'm hosting, I have Alexa set the timer to ocean sounds so it isn't a startling alarm but a nice easy sound. If I'm a guest I set the vibration alarm on my watch before I get out of the car so I'm not doing it in front of the client. I'll add in about 10 minutes to the timer for pre session stuff too. It has worked well for me and my clients appreciate not having an obnoxious alarm jarring us out of our relaxed state.
I don't set any timer at all and the client would stay well past their time and would get FREE TIME. So what I do is put a movie on and the movie I pick is close to the amount of time that client booked for lol and yea I do try to make sure I watch the time. Sounds stupid maybe but this is what I do.
@Rowen1980 My last cuddle pro and I did that. I hosted and we watched a movie. It went just a few minutes past the scheduled time, but she stayed anyway to see the end.
I never was given a warning that time was running out and wouldn't like it. It would spoil the mood. Also when the buzzer went off the cuddler and I never instantaneously jumped up as though it was a fire alarm. It can be a professional session without having it feel like a professional session.
@snugbuddy you know when you're hanging out with friends, but you have somewhere to be at a particular time? I approach it more like that then a super clinical "your time is up".
More like my 10 minute vibrate alarm will go off, I'll silence it, give them a squeeze, stretch, etc. and say gently (not suddenly to startle) "So, we have about 10 minutes until I need to pack up. Have we missed anything you wanted to do? Or would you like to stay right here for now?" That gives them the opportunity to request a last activity/position if we hadn't gotten to it yet, or more time, or we can just snuggle back in for a few.
When my final vibrate alarm goes off, I also don't rush it. I take my time easing us both out, stretching, checking in verbally to see how they're feeling, getting up slowly while still maintaining connection as long as possible. My safety contacts know I'll tend to go a little over and I schedule myself buffer because I want clients to get full value of time, and just because I enjoy taking my time with them 😊 I linger to give final hugs and goodbyes, not rushing off as that would spoil all the good cuddles we just had.
I know each pro has their own style and procedures, but I would hope that most professional cuddlers would be less clinical given the nature of cuddling.
We are all responsible for ourselves.