Cuddling may have started out as a survival instinct, but it has since grown into something you can pay for on the internet. And, in case you are wondering, we are not using "cuddling" as a euphemism for anything. People pay to just cuddle with one another. And there are usually strict rules to prevent anything beyond from happening. Sad? Maybe. Desperate? Perhaps. But apparently it might be more “normal” than we think.
Cuddle parties first started in 2004. Strangers would meet at a designated place and hold each other for hours. The parties popped up across the country and became known as a safe place for people to go get touch and affection without having pressure to do anything sexual. Think it might be kind of hard to have an intimate moment with 5, 10 or even 20 people at a time?
Well then, perhaps you'd rather have a more private session with Jackie Samuel. She's launched a website, The Snuggery, where people can go to her home to cuddle one on one. Samuel says she started the company because she felt the need to help people who do not have non-sexual touch in their lives. And, of couse, no good deed should go unpaid. Oh, and there's also the thing where she just really, really likes to cuddle. So, everybody wins!
The FAQ's on her website make for an interesting read:
Q. What should I wear to my first appointment?
A. I recommend loose fitting, natural fiber clothing, but whatever you are most comfortable in is what you should wear. Pajamas are always a good choice.
