Thursday, August 31

Did you say cuddle parties!?!

Back sometime last year my old roommate, Erin, was telling me about cuddle parties. I was completely baffled by them, but yet curious. So, I googled cuddle parties, and here's what I found. Apparently, this isn't an adult version of Spin The Bottle or Seven Minutes In Heaven. In fact, Cuddle Parties have apparently been sweeping the nation! OK, so now that you're intrigued, please read more about this below, I basically grabbed all the info from the website.
Here's the skinny on cuddle parties...

  • "It is an event for adults to get together and explore affectionate touch and communication without it becoming sexualized. At these events, we create the safe space to talk about and explore what our needs are as adults when it comes to affection, intimacy and welcomed touch. In other words, CUDDLING!"
  • A structured, safe workshop on boundaries, communication, intimacy and affection. A drug and alcohol-free way to meet fascinating people in a relaxing environment. A laboratory where you can experiment with what makes you feel safe and feel good.
  • This playful, fun workshop has been a place for people to rediscover non-sexual touch and affection, a space to reframe assumptions about men and women, and a great networking event to meet new friends, roommates, business partners and significant others.
  • Can Cuddle Party restore your faith in humanity? It just might. But at the very least, you'll have a great time, and leave feeling relaxed and inspired.
  • There's even a Cuddle LIFEGUARD on duty!
  • These parties are hosted by people who invite people to get together to cuddle; some of these people coming together are perfect strangers.
  • Oh, and there are rules!
The RULES!!!! (yup, there are actual rules to this)

WHAT TO WEAR: Pajamas - nothing too risque. Think more comfy than sexy. (More drawstrings, less lace! No shorts.)

WHAT TO BRING: A pillow or stuffed animal if you like. Juice or sparkling cider is always welcome. Sorry, no liquor folks. Otherwise, just bring your smiling self.

STICK TO THE RULES:

  1. Pajamas stay on the whole time.
  2. You don't have to cuddle anyone at a Cuddle Party, ever.
  3. You must ask permission and receive a verbal YES before you touch anyone. (Be as specific in your request as you can.)
  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 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 Parties and do not gossip.
  11. Arrive on time.
  12. Be hygienically savvy.
Thoughts???
I know after reading some of this you guys are thinking what the butt!?! And you have lots of questions. There's an
FAQ section that I suggest checking out for more information.

But, one thing that I keep thinking about is this need for intimacy. We crave or desire intimacy so much that we have people out there who create parties so that one can obtain such desired intimacy.
Furthermore, I keep thinking about one of Mark Miller's old sermon's re: we were created to have a legitimate need for intimacy with Our Creator, but we, at times, seek intimacy through illegitimate ways. Perhaps cuddle parties are the epitome of this illegitimate need for intimacy?

I find this whole thing VERY intriguing. I mean, going to a party wearing my pajamas and laying around hugging random people??? That's just creepy, in some ways, and I would submit that I'm someone who's pretty affectionate and doesn't mind receiving hugs or giving hugs, but spooning with people I don't know or going to a social event so that I can spoon seems creepy. But is it? I don't know. I once heard that humans need at least 7 touches a day or something like that. And, certainly, this party would give you a full week's worth of touches. It's definitely something, um, different.

What are your thoughts about this?

Has anyone gone to a cuddle party?

Would anyone out there actually go to cuddle party?

5 comments:

Lisa said...

wow. I don't know if North Park Seminary would support cuddle parties here on campus. Maybe I should throw one and see what they say... Maybe that will be the way to get me kicked out of school. Steph, will you be the cuddle party lifeguard?

peanutgallery said...

Sounds like a weekend with my neighbors.

bansheewigs said...

yeah so, i have no desire at all to be a lifeguard at a cuddle party.

hmm...funny thing is, i remember my mom once made me be the 'makeout nazi' while my sister and her friends were hanging out at our house: swimming, 8th graders, couples, hormones, etc. i found out that i wasn't necessarily detering them from making out. it turns out, i was the annoying little sister in the way and it was awkward. perhaps a whistle would've been helpful?

bansheewigs said...

oh, i forgot to mention this... people freakin' pay for cuddling! so, people are paying for intimacy? hmm, that sounds like something you'd find on colfax st!

Anonymous said...

You should also google "clown shoes" while you're researching...

CK