Will cuddling be the new "Massage"?

[Deleted User]SnuggleSymmetry (deleted user)
in General
I know that massage has not always been seen as something therapeutic in Western countries. In fact some people still see it as a sexual service today. Professional massage therapists are annoyed when people confuse their service with prostitution. Do you think that cuddling is going through the same thing that massage went through in the past? Will cuddling businesses exist in the near future ? If this occurs then we can have a Cuddle Envy just like a Massage Envy.  

Comments

  • [Deleted User]SnuggleSymmetry (deleted user)
    Not counting existing online cuddling businesses. I am referring to buildings with an actual cuddling business. 
  • BrandiBrandi
    This is actually something I've been wanting to start for a while now, Almost like a coffee shop cuddle business like or yeah like you were saying its kind of massage-like too..I think it should have brighter blue and white lights so its more energetic and happy inside with quotes about cuddling.. girls dressed cute but normal.. maybe a bar inside. would for sure need to wait until the time is right, when cuddling is respected. and also probably find an investor, or get a business loan for it. 
    However I've asked a few of the clients that came over what they thought of that idea, and they said it doesn't sound as appealing because its not as private really, and something about cuddling at someones house just seems more special.
    Which I get, but maybe if there were an actual place like cuddle envy they would consider it rather than having it be hypothetical.

  • [Deleted User]SnuggleSymmetry (deleted user)
    ^ Loving your idea Brandi. Thanks for your input. 
  • murphymagicmurphymagic
    I know ya'all might know that there is a model for this. Samantha Hess - "Cuddle Up To Me" in Portland, Oregon. They've been in business for a couple years now, and I think Samantha has been an amazing advocate for the platonic cuddling business model at a brick & mortar store in a cool downtown space. In my area (SF Bay Area, Santa Clara) there is Snuggle Salon, a HOUSE that serves the same purpose. I've never been there, because I do prefer "my place" or "your place". But I do like the idea of a "coffee shop" Brandi. One can have a latte and work on their computer in a cool space while waiting for their cuddle appointment in one of the designated rooms "in the back".

    Look up "Cuddle Up To Me". I think they have 4 rooms in the back with different themes. Brandi, I would say no "bar" though, because I've heard stories that alcohol does not go well with platonic cuddling. But maybe DECAF!! - would work ;)

    Anyway, the Cuddle Up To Me business model is not as private and personal and "special" as cuddling in one's home or even an Airbnb (which I did in LA). I've really enjoyed my sessions at my place or the professional cuddler's place, but I'm open to a cool space like Cuddle Up To Me once in a while.
  • alaric1805alaric1805
    There is also a place in Rochester, NY called The Snuggery.  I can't speak for it, as I haven't been there, but she has been in business for at least a couple of years now. 
  • BrandiBrandi
    Thats awesome! love hearing success stories,

    Il keep that tip in mind about the bar murphy haha. Tea and hotchocolate is great too though. Maybe combined with 420 since its legal now and that will make everyone too lazy and too cozy all you'll want to do is snuggle and lay there c:

    We need a cuddle place in California though that's forsure! Il be working on that ;D If anyone knows where to start please inform me.

     My sister in law was also telling me about host clubs in japan, I thought that was also a pretty neat concept (and its mostly males working not female!)

  • MailleweaverMailleweaver
    edited November 2016
    If professional cuddlers were more affordable, they'd likely get more business. I would definitely pay for cuddling if there were any pros around me and they worked for half of the apparent standard rates. 80-100 dollars would get me 60-90 minutes with a fully trained massage therapist, and they have some crazy good skills. How can an amateur cuddler calling themselves a pro actually compare to that without decades or centuries of experience to reinvent the art on their own? Without an actual emotional connection between cuddlers, cuddling is mainly physical stimulation to indirectly affect emotions, and physical stimulation is best effected through thorough knowledge and skill in the activity. The training that massage therapists get imparts them with knowledge gained from hundreds of years of other people's experience and scientific study. So you have trained touch competing with untrained touch. As it is, I personally would not go to a cuddle club when a massage parlor is available to provide a superior experience at the same cost.

  • BrandiBrandi
    Mailleweaver, have you ever experienced cuddle therapy? :) because just the way you are asking "how do they charge that much" Im thinking "how does this person not think thats worth it, when its very much worth it to others who are in need of it.


    Its very much not the same thing as getting a 90 minute massage. And far as getting qualifications, I personally believe that I have a natural passion and interest in helping others through alternative touch therapy and I am naturally really great at it.


    Just because there is not a school where I can go drop thousands of dollars to make me go in debt to "learn" doesnt mean we don't acquire the skills needed to make a person feel loved, and wanted and provide this service.. Just like there are some artists that go to school for art, that doesn't mean there cant be really talented artists that didn't go to school for it. or chiefs, or singers or gosh whatever you can think of really.  
    That's How I see it anyways, and so far I as well as all of my cuddlers have always had an amazing experience.
    And who knows, people spend 40$ on one song in a strip club! ...or 5$ on one coffee. 
    So I can see a coffee club charging a good amount and having them still get customers. if they find the right market, But I hope if it does come to surface, that the prices would be reasonable. :P
  • MailleweaverMailleweaver
    No, I've never had cuddle therapy. I can't afford it since I've only earned about $3000 so far this year and there are no pros around here anyway. And there's nobody here who's active in my area. My only experience with cuddling is what little I've had with my girlfriend and a few hugs from friends and acquaintances. It's from judging by the huge difference in effectiveness of hugs from people with varying levels of emotional connection extrapolated out relative to cuddling with my girlfriend that I figured the worth of cuddling with a stranger. There's no way that a massage could compare to cuddling with my girlfriend, but there's also no way that cuddling with a stranger could match a really good massage. Emotional connection plays a huge part in magnifying the effectiveness of touch, even more so than skill.
  • MrPapaveraceaeMrPapaveraceae
    I agree with you so much as well, Maille. There's a lot of similar things limiting me as well. I'm pretty constricted with funds and saving is very difficult and as far as lack of active users around me as well. The few times I receive any touch doesn't compare to someone with a connection. I used to have visits once, or twice a year from someone very special and was something to look forward to, but things changed. True too, having an emotional connection is something very special to have, you can definitely sense it when being close to someone.
  • BrandiBrandi
    I feel like you are trying to say people cannot enjoy cuddle therapy since they don't have a connection with me because I am a stranger, but that's just not the case.

     I have connected with most of my clients. The only time I have not had that connection has been when the "cuddler" is looking for cuddles for a different purpose: wanting sexual favors. 

    But I think saying that "There's no way cuddles can compare to a massage" is incorrect because the two have similar but different purposes: the massage is therapy for the body, but cuddling is therapy for the soul. I have a client that I've been seeing for over for a whole year and he's always said this was his escape. To him, regular cuddling very much defeated regular massages twice a week. If cuddling is not as good as a massage to you, then go get a massage! No worries lol. But as a pro, I don't appreciate you stating for everyone that its not worth it overall when the matter is entirely subjective.

    It is super unfortunate that you can't try it due to both of your locations though, but maybe post an ad on craiglist for a cuddler in your area and see what you get. Maybe you'll inspire some girls to try cuddling as a profession by referring them to this site, and you can help others in the process by whipping up a cuddler in your area, and we can clutter this site with positive, fun people. Word of mouth is a great way to advertise after all :)

    As far as money goes, I'm sorry that's just a personal goal that you need to achieve, as everything you want will probably cost some money. 

    There are many jobs everywhere, and I know saving is hard as I'm having a hell of a time with that myself. My guilty pleasure is weed; I spend soo much money on it but i love it.  But instead of saying there's no way to save, I'm just gonna keep working my few jobs so that I can continue my hobby, change some spending habits, and enjoy my life lol.

    Where there's a will, there's a way! Good luck guys <3


  • [Deleted User]Unknown (deleted user)
    edited November 2016
    Massage and cuddling are two very different things and I see the value in both. I would not see a cuddler if my muscles were aching and I needed them rubbed out. I would also not go to a massage therapist if I wanted to connect with someone. I have connected on a deeper/higher level with every pro that I've ever cuddled with but I have never connected that way with a Massage therapist. I've had aching muscles that massage therapist have worked wonders on but no professional cuddler has been able to accomplish that with me.

    In regards to professional cuddlers not having years of training. This is true but I also feel that it takes a very special person to be a professional cuddler and that's why there are so few of them. How many massage therapists are there vs professional cuddlers? To learn the art of massage is one thing but to have the natural ability and desire to connect and give love and light to complete strangers who need it, truly takes a very special person.
  • BrandiBrandi
    Aww that was beautiful, Morpheus!  I'm glad that us cuddlers mean that much to you, you know you guys mean the world to us too, I hope  <3 ^.^
  • frankparker9frankparker9
    A big "yes, please!" to the Cuddle Envy idea :)

    I will say that Snuggle Salon in Northern CA is fantastic.  It's not exactly a brick-and-mortar business, but the owner (Yvonne) has a cuddle room in her house in Santa Clara, and many of the cuddlers take in-calls there.  Booking and payment are online.

    I agree with everything Morpheus said.  Cuddles are different from massage and provide something that a massage cannot; if you'd rather have a massage, get a massage.  There is a major personal connection element in cuddling, and you may connect with one cuddler more than another, but connecting with a stranger is absolutely possible.  Professional cuddlers are very special people who tend to be good at this. :)

    Brandi, you sound like a lovely person, and I wish you much success.
  • [Deleted User]SnuggleSymmetry (deleted user)
    Agree Frank
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