Cuddle party
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Cuddle Party is described by its organizers a "workshop/social-event" 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."
The events take place in cities across the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Montgomery, and Boston, and also in Toronto, London, and Melbourne.
History
Reid Mihalko and Marcia Baczynski, a pair of self-described "relationship coaches" in New York City, founded Cuddle Party in New York in April of 2004. According to the team's web site, the events were initially created for friends who were too intimidated to attend Mihalko's massage parties. Upon publication of the Cuddle Party web site the events were opened to the general public, and due to a swarm of media attention, the events became a phenomenon in New York.
Wishing to capitalize on the demand for Cuddle Parties in other cities, Mihalko and Baczynski began a training and certification program in January of 2005, and have since trained a number of individuals to facilitate Cuddle Parties in various cities.
Format
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.
The 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.
Media
- A Cuddle party was featured on an episode of CSI: New York titled "Grand Murder at Central Station".
- Columbia News Service article about cuddle parties [1]
- NYDailyNews.com "Gimme a hug!" [2]
- Cuddle Parties were featured in an episode of Bullshit!, by Penn and Teller.
- Additional articles, interviews, and TV and radio stories about Cuddle Party are featured on this page of Cuddle Party Los Angeles's web site.