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Encyclopedia > Cuddle party

A Cuddle Party is an event designed with the intention of allowing people to experience non-sexual group physical intimacy through cuddling. Cuddle Parties are described by organizers as "workshop/social-events" that gives adults an opportunity to "give and receive welcomed affectionate touch in a no-expectation, friendly setting, according to your needs, desires, interests, and boundaries." Cuddle Parties are described as non-sexual events but kissing may occur at some parties.[1] This article does not cite any references or sources. ...


A Cuddle Party is a group experience, while the one-on-one analog is a cuddlebuddy relationship.


Events have occurred across the United States, including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Montgomery, Boston, and Kansas City; internationally reaching Toronto, London, and Melbourne. New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... Coordinates: , Country State County Montgomery Incorporated December 3, 1819 Government  - Mayor Bobby Bright Area  - City  156. ... Nickname: City on the Hill, Beantown, The Hub (of the Universe)1, Athens of America, The Cradle of Revolution, Puritan City, Americas Walking City Location in Massachusetts, USA Counties Suffolk County Mayor Thomas M. Menino(D) Area    - City 232. ... Nickname: Location in Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties in the state of Missouri. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... This article is about the Australian city; the name may also refer to City of Melbourne or Melbourne city centre. ...

Contents

History

Reid Mihalko and Marcia Baczynski, a pair of self-described "relationship coaches" in New York City, founded Cuddle Party in New York on February 29, 2004. According to their website, the events were initially created for friends who were too intimidated to attend Mihalko's informal massage workshops. Upon publication of the Cuddle Party web site, the events were opened to the general public, and, due to a swarm of media attention, became a phenomenon in New York.


In order to capitalize on the demand for Cuddle Parties in other cities, Mihalko and Baczynski began a training and certification program in January 2005, and have since trained a number of individuals to facilitate Cuddle Parties in various cities.


Cuddle Parties now take place not only in New York, but in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, London, Sydney, Alabama, Seattle, and elsewhere.


Format

A Cuddle Party is described by organizers as having the following format:

  1. A "Welcome Circle" led by the event's facilitators, intended to create a "safe space," and in which participants are given an opportunity to introduce themselves, be led through several communication/ice-breaker exercises, and learn the Cuddle Party rules.
  2. A two-hour socializing/cuddling portion of the event, in which participants socialize and cuddle, in accordance with the event's rules.
  3. A "Closing Circle," in which the facilitators sum up the evening's activities.

An icebreaker is a facilitation exercise intended to help a group to begin the process of forming themselves into a team. ...

Rules

According to the Cuddle Party web site, the rules of Cuddle Party are as follows:

  1. Pajamas stay on the whole time.
  2. You must ask permission and receive a verbal "yes" before you touch anyone. (Be as specific in your request as you can.)
  3. You don't have to cuddle anyone at a Cuddle Party, ever.
  4. If you're a yes, say yes. If you're a no, say no.
  5. If you're a maybe, say no.
  6. You are encouraged to change your mind from a yes to a no or a no to a yes anytime you want.
  7. Respect your relationship agreements and communicate with your partner.
  8. Get your Cuddle Lifeguard On Duty or Cuddle Caddy if you have a question or concern or need assistance with anything during the Cuddle Party.
  9. Tears and laughter are both welcome.
  10. Respect people's privacy when sharing about Cuddle Party and do not gossip.
  11. Arrive on time.
  12. Be hygienically savvy.

Controversy

  • In light of growing popularity and attention by the mainstream media, some critics have argued that Cuddle Parties, a paid-admission variation on an existing "Cuddle Puddle" concept, are inherently gross.

Media

  • A Cuddle party was featured on an episode of CSI: New York titled "Grand Murder at Central Station".[2][3][4]
  • A Cuddle party was featured on an episode of Scott Baio is 45 and Single.

CSI: NY (working title CSI: New York) is an American police procedural television series which premiered on September 22, 2004. ...

See also

To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

External links

References

  1. ^ "Need A Lift? It May Be Just A Cuddle Away - Cuddle Parties Are Nonsexual Ways Of Getting The Human Touch", NBC 10 Philadelphia, November 10, 2004. Retrieved on 2007-05-01. 
  2. ^ "The CSIs Get Cuddly On 'Grand Murder At Central Station'", CSI Files. Retrieved on 2007-05-01. 
  3. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions", Orance County Cuddle Party. Retrieved on 2007-05-01. 
  4. ^ "NYDailyNews.com Cuddle Party", NYDailyNews.com. Retrieved on 2007-05-01. 

  Results from FactBites:
 
7Online.com: 'Cuddle parties' satisfy 'skin hunger' (1220 words)
According to cuddleparty.com, cuddle parties are designed for all types of people -- from the touchy-huggy type, "who can't wait to be in an environment where that's OK," to those working on boundary issues with the opposite sex, and from touch-phobes, to individuals who simply wish to make new friends and practice their communication skills.
So whether you dig the cuddle party or detest it, one thing is undeniable: It serves as a forum for dealing with many people's fears of rejection and intimacy, and provides them with a secure space to release their inhibitions and decompress.
Cuddle parties may never become mainstream, but for some, cuddling is the panacea to their social and physical insecurities.
Cuddle party - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (324 words)
A cuddle party is a non-sexual event in which adult participants are encouraged to engage in consensual cuddling, touching, caressing, and massaging.
Parties often are supervised by therapists or experienced practitioners who both facilitate group activity and serve as "cuddle lifeguards" if necessary.
The phenomenon of cuddle parties is considered by some psychologists to be a form of infantilism.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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