@graceangel I know it's tricky to find partners that you can trust. We have to be vigilant in vetting potential partners. I've stepped back in vetting anyone new for a while now. I'm sticking to those that I already know & trust.
I've talked to some of the men on here who are also leary of others because they've had bad experiences as well.
We all need to be careful when it comes to meeting strangers.
@dave31415 Definition according to Miriam-Webster... "of, relating to, or being a relationship marked by the absence of romance or sex"
I don’t remember where or who I heard it from but I’ve heard pros who offer sexual services will actually put the word “platonic” in the profile to serve as a form of protection if they are accused of sexual services but it also serves as a secret code word to attract clients who are seeking sexual services. I have no idea if there’s any truth to it but I think it’s an interesting concept. I didn’t pay much attention to it at the time because I’m not here seeking sexual services and I generally don’t pay attention to rumors.
@Morpheus The vast majority of pro profiles I have seen have the word "platonic" in them. They can't all be sex workers.
@WriterGF from my experience, I don’t feel that I see the word platonic in the majority of profiles.
My point though was, in theory, if what I have heard is in fact true, pros who are truly platonic and use the word platonic in their profile, may end up in a precarious situation at no fault of their own.
@Morpheus At least three of the pros just in this thread have the word "platonic" in their profiles. Frankly, this sounds like the kind of rumor predators would start to justify their actions. "Sure, I made a pass at her, but I heard 'platonic' means she wants it." It's sort of like saying, "If the store has a sign that says there's a burglar alarm, it really means they want you to rob them." If it's a code word, it's not a very efficient one.
Clearly it's the wood-working pic. Obvious double entendre and a clarion call for perverts.
(sarcasm, of course 😁, your profile looks totally non-suggestive by my eye.)
A few years ago when I first decided to join Cuddle Comfort I did my best to find out as much as I could about CC and cuddling in general. Because at the end of the day you're going to a strangers home or they're coming over to your home.And yes if you were to tell the general public about this,they'd think this is a cover for the world's oldest profession.Fortunately for me every pro I've seen,some more that once,have been just that,a pro..When I was doing my research online I saw people say this is a great way to have platonic touch and maybe even create a special type of platonic relationship. And on the other side, the majority of the pros are sex workers in disguise.I guess we'll never really know how often that actually happens if both parties at nothing.This is a bumpy road we all have to travel doing this..Unfortunately at the end of the day you'll always have clients who will try to gaslight a pro to cross a line they don't want to cross.And yes we'll have pros,maybe not with everyone but with some clients,if they pay more they'll get more... And I'm not even talking about a pro and client,who even though neither of them planned on it happening,got caught up in the moment and maybe got a little more touchy feely than they should've. You can't tell me that's never happened before.The latter I can live with because that's two consenting adults and that's something I'll never judge.But the clients/predators who to them the word platonic means nothing they need to be banned..And the pros that use this as a cover for sex work they need to be gone as well. Because all we need is an ambitious DA to catch wind of that happening on this site and the next thing you know you're gonna see some perp walks on the 5 o'clock news..
See, it all started with a philosopher named Plato, back in ancient Greece... Oh, you're not really interested in the etymology of the word, are you?
This is based on approx. 1,400 pro women cuddlers profiles, Not all but big enough sample to get an idea.
I think it’s earthquake related. Sorry bad joke, a super reach. Plate tectonics. I’ll let myself out
@Sooson - fascinating data. Is this pros only, or does it include enthusiasts?
Not drawing any specific conclusions, but it is fascinating that profiles mentioning platonic are marginally higher karma and marginally more tenured.
@Sooson as I said earlier, I don’t see the word platonic in the majority of pros profiles. The data you posted showing the word platonic in 27.8% of profiles is on par with what I’ve seen.
@MeltWithMiles These stats only include Women pros. Average Karma count for profiles mention platonic is about 70% higher. I don't know if would would call it marginal. And same as you, not drawing conclusions.
@Morpheus Yea I honesty had no idea but I read the conversation and I was like let's find out
.
@Sooson for non-normally distributed data (I'm assuming this is, since karma can't be negative?), we would honor the median, in which case, it's a 2-fold increase! But is that statistically significant? And then the big question, which I would caution people from jumping to conclusions: even if it is, can any conclusions be drawn from it? Like, maybe "platonic" IS coded language for something else and those who are in-the-know seek it out and deliver positive karma accordingly.
Gotta love data. Thanks for your work!
It seems, though, that when a pro's boundaries get pushed, other pros advise her to prominently put "platonic" in her profile. So, again, it's not a very effective code if it's also being used by cuddlers who aren't offering extras.
@MeltWithMiles Thank you! I appreciate your comments, and I accept them as I am no better expert than you in determining the answer to that question and for all I know, you know better than me.
Considering that I know for a fact that the word platonic is being used here (or omitted) both sincerely and deceptively, I would totally disregard it when seeing it (or not seeing it) in a profile.
@MeltWithMiles Oh and here is a bonus for you since you're so cool : FWIW
How about go one further and platonic cuddling...
Platonic cuddling is a non-sexual, non-romantic form of physical intimacy, like hugging or holding, between friends or family members. It is a way to express closeness, build trust, and provide comfort and emotional support without any romantic or sexual expectations. For example, it can include a long hug, sitting side-by-side while touching, or spooning, as long as clear boundaries are maintained and both individuals are comfortable.
It's because so many uses site for way more than that. So naturally, guys just automatically assume that everyone's going to offer that or give them that. One of my sayings for as long as I can remember have always been the other guy an inch and he'll try to take a mile.
I've been back and forth on this thing. I have encountered at least a few though that word truly sincerely platonic. One just recently, another actually from a totally different site and one that decided to leave this site and go a different direction. I've recently told someone that hey, cuddling isn't for everyone. Not everyone can do it.
Stick to your guns girl and keep on doing what you're doing. Like someone else stated, put in there it will be terminated if they do cross the line and I would even go one further and say they will be reported to the site.
@Sooson 🤣 "one more time for those of you in the back..... PLATONIC!!!!"
Well, guess what word I removed from my profile? 🤦🏻♀️🙅🏻♀️
If that's why I keep getting requests for non-platonic activities such as kissing or shirtless cuddles then let me remove any doubt. ("Por la duda" translates to "just in case")
I don't mention the word PLATONIC in my profile either, but I do make it clear that sex isn't going to happen AT ALL during cuddle time. 🛑👎🛑👎 🚫💋🚫💋🚫
I do use the word NO a lot in my profile when stating my boundaries too. 😊👍
And if I meet said cuddler in person, I make it VERBALLY clear again! 🤨
I also have a Gru meme that spells it out as well..."We Don't Have Sex, WE CUDDLE!"
😁🫂
Lol! 🤣
And if that's not driving the NO SEX message home, then I will be happy to discuss Terratophilia with said cuddler as well. 😁😁😁
So far I have yet to meet any human who is also a shapeshifter...So really cuddling is all we can do here! 🤷🫂🤷🫂
😁♥️
@MTex I just did the same 🤣 If it’s either going to be disregarded or taken as code for more then I’m better off without it. 🤷♀️
@mauvefox Right!? I just added a short list of red flags to my profile. I'm not sure if that's going to help me or not. 🙈🙉🙊
It's getting a little ridiculous. I've already Muted my account to try to minimize these requests, come on now.
I just added a short list of red flags to my profile.
😆👍
@MTex Lol! I say leave it, even if Dudebros don't read it. You did put it in your profile as a red flag! 🚩👍
@Katota Ok, thank you for your feedback! I think what I'm worried about is that if I put the red flags in my profile that they won't mention those and then when they show up to a session I will have a problem. What do you think? 🤷🏻♀️
@MTex You're welcome, and well I have had Dudebros be inappropriate in my inbox but never in person...At least not yet, so just drag your feet with the whole scheduling sessions part. 😊
But yeah, I would still leave it in your profile. 👍
I might add something about "NO MASSAGE OFFERS" in mine later on ...🤔🤔🤔