@cozycuddler4you I already explained my reasoning in my first comment. If someone wants to offer “on demand,” they already can through their bio and how they structure their services, without shifting the culture of the platform.
I would like to order a pepperoni cuddle with a side of bread sticks and ranch please
When I book a session 3 weeks ahead, I see my Pro as a human being.
When I book a session 3 days ahead, I see my Pro as a human being.
When I book a session 3 hours ahead, I don't suddenly see my Pro as a pizza.
I’m kind of ambiguous whether I think it should be an option or not. From years of reading stuff on the forums and from being here and talking to different people, I don’t know how much it would make a difference.
I’ve read a lot from pros who are upset with enthusiast that don’t read their profile to begin with. Or they’ll ask a question that’s in the profile. Or even enthusiast complain how they get treated as a pro and people want a session with an enthusiast.
In general I’ve noticed here at and all over people don’t read the profiles or signs or whatever. Even on dating sites( I know it’s not a dating site, just a comparison. ).
Plus there’s a very long forum post about ways to change or improve the site that don’t usually happen.
I’m pessimistic on this happening or working. I’m already wondering how many months or years from now I’ll read the second third or fourth post that somebody will bring this up and hope it happens not even realizing it’s been brought up before and then it’ll get lumped in with the other already similar posts on the forum.
As I’ve read in this post that there are already professionals that have it on their profile. If that’s not enough for somebody, I don’t know if a special toggle option will do much.
You’ll probably still get a lot of people asking professionals regardless if they could book at the last minute, even if it’s not on their profile.
@TxTom lmao, I love that!
Mmmm pizza
There's also the issue of how adding more booking features shifts the website from being more about social connections a la FB vs a commercial booking site a la Cuddlist. Given the views the site owners have previously expressed, I don't foresee this sort of feature being added any time soon since it only impacts pros/clients and not enthusiasts - especially since it is something that can already be managed with the features we have (profile text, messages, etc.).
@pmvines Cuddledash?
That's an idea
I actually think the toggle idea for marking yourself available for last-minute bookings is mostly a win. It could make it way easier for clients who are looking for something spontaneous and help fill those random open gaps in our schedules. That said, I can see a few potential hiccups ... like people who already treat the site like they're ordering doordash and expecting immediate responses or it creating pressure to always be “on” if the toggle is active. But overall, I still think the benefits outweigh the downsides. If anything, what would really take it to the next level is adding an option for text notifications. I know for me, I don’t always catch emails right away, so sometimes I don’t even see a message until the next time I log in. A quick text alert would make a huge difference for actually catching those last-minute opportunities in real time.
Cuddling isn't a Vegas drive thru wedding or Amazon instant buy. Folks seem to have challenges with normal scheduling, let alone a non-existent same day option that the site is not going to put resources into. Add it to the site improvement section, but the site has been transparent about what they're doing and what features would/could be implemented.
No, for all the reasons mentioned here, all of which are not only important but safety-related.
And because, as already noted, anyone can edit their profile at any time to include AVAILABLE TODAY.
But also because such a feature potentially raises new mod issues, which could strain the site's management.
Almost all my cuddles are same day or night. I rarely have pre scheduled. If I'm available I'm available 🤷♀️
To be honest, I cringed internally when I first read the suggestion. That being said, I'm not as viscerally opposed to it as I was at first.
I imagine implementation where in the search feature, just like fee-based profiles have their rate show up in the lower right corner, another overlay for "Same day availability" (or a better short phrase) could appear. It would need to be something that people new to the site would understand visually.
I think the most important voices on this feature are the people with fee-based profiles. I think the main effect of this kind of flagging would be to drive new client accounts towards people that indicate shorter notice availability. So people with the flag up would get more of the touch-starved new arrivals (who may be more likely to be looking for SW, who need education on consent and what platonic means, who haven't been vetted by anyone else, or had the chance to accumulate karma, etc.).
Profiles without the flag, if there are others with it in their area, might get reduced traffic (both of new clients and new to the site clients). This may have a negative downstream effect of pressuring some fee-based profiles into offering shorter notice booking to compete, despite the noise/harassment/safety implications.
As much as I can see it being a potential issue when it comes to vetting, and also potential for creating more entitlement among the gimme now crowd, if there are cuddle pros and clients who are wanting to do that then I feel my opinion doesn't matter. I have never found myself in a must book a cuddle pro now or else scenario so I don't really have a dog in the fight. But I do certainly acknowledge how this could cause problems, and to say otherwise would be foolish of me.
I'm here for my free slice of deep dish. 🤣
Now you're talking my language
I guess I'd use an 'available this week/weekend' for us enthusiasts more than anything...
I've done plenty of same day bookings but I still require my screening of clients.
I've done last minute booking with an established client before too.
Hell yes !!!!! Saves both parties time …having to click on every single cuddlers profile to see their availability then messaging them and by the time you agree it’s too late in the day !
I’ve seen pros with something like “same day sessions available for past clients, if available”. I’d love to be able to tell easily if someone I’ve met with in the past is available.
What about an indicator of short-term availability paired with a spot for a comment about it -
“available this evening, send me a message!” “available this evening for past clients with 5 ⭐️ karma from me” “available all day Saturday for coffee meetup then cuddle”
Maybe that could be a middle ground?
More yays than nays on this one.
How about a searchable feature where people could put keywords or phrases and it would bring up all profiles that contain it?
Like "Available Now"
And if people are worried about it being used for SW related phrases, guess what? Now the mods have a tool to better comb profiles too.
The problem for pros and everyone else is “Available Now” gives the impression that they are available right this second.
I think “Available In the Next 24 Hours” is a better compromise.
What if they are indeed Available Now?
That's why I think a keywords/phrase search would be broader in scope and still effective for this topic.
Ok, you can find an exception to everything which defeats the purpose of discussion when the exception is so minimal. Most people need an hour or two to get ready properly. I would be hesitant to have someone come over this very second because my thoughts would turn to hygiene. If they are ready to go right now then when was the last time they showered? Available within 24 hours includes same day and then through discussions you can find out if it means right this second or later that day.
My take is this will result in forum threads complaining about it said “Available Now” but didn’t get a reply from messages, so another gripe about pros. So many guys feel entitled to instant attention that it ruins it for guys that have some basic understanding that people are not always spontaneous or instantaneous. Every pro and enthusiast is different but entitled guys seem to remain the same.
I'm more in the exceptions are relevant, even if minimal, and generalizations can stymy progress. Discussions and otherwise.
There are groupings of people that were once seen as a minimal exception that are important to understand and address as a regular part of society today.
Think about a flipped or turned on OPEN sign at a barber and massage studio storefront. Cancellations happen. Which they often do. And someone can be already prepared. Now they don't lose out on business.
The Cuddle Community is full of exceptions in the way people provide value in their time.
I understand the concerns. There will be concerns, but I see more Yays from both pros and clients here as an option.
I think it’s a great idea, but for me personally unless the person agrees to a ph chat prior I would not feel comfortable. I go through a vetting process for my safety.
There will be concerns, but I see more Yays from both pros and clients here as an option.
Yes you have stated that multiple times. People are saying yay to a general concept but it is not necessarily a yay in how that will look. The devil is in the details and what I was looking at was the details. You have moved the goalposts somewhat by proposing several options which I seriously doubt the site will put their limited manpower and resources into. Having one button—possibly, but several? Good luck.
@TheFunCartel My intention was not moving goalposts but to offer something that maybe more people would be comfortable with from the yay and nay crowd.
I am not in favor of several buttons but a keyword/phrase profile search function instead. They input whatever text like a Find in a Word Doc.
I'm not here to win debates with people for the sake of discussion. And I do think when someone simply defaults to, "well, nothing is going to be done anyway" -- it's not how our society progresses. If you'll excuse me, it's a self-defeating or lazy way to defend your point of view.
What about the details of using this to handle cancellations with a quick replacement? What if someone has a cuddle office separate from home they have travelled to?
Also, would you have a solution that could be helpful or is this site imperfectly perfect with the way it is?
@Huggycatbear there's a difference between discussing the merits of a hypothetical for the purpose of examining the topic as a whole, and arguing for or against a point that is completely outside of our sphere of influence.
Many of the comments in this thread are doing the latter - they're arguing for/against something that has already been discussed ad nauseum in other threads, and to which the site owners have made unequivocal statements regarding. Delving into that sort of argument just feeds community dissatisfaction rather than actually solving or changing anything.
It's far more productive to debate and work within the systems we do have control over. That's not being defeatist, it's being practical and solution-oriented rather than yelling at the sky in vain.