Top 5 Reasons I Attended Cuddle Party
Okay, kiddies, I finally attended a Cuddle Party! Rewind. It’s Saturday morning. I jump out of the shower, and I put on a fresh pair of pajamas. I wouldn’t normally wear pajamas as I walk through the streets of New York City, but this is not a normal day. For the first time in my life, I’m going to a Yoga studio on Broadway to lay down on the ground and full-body cuddle. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve cuddled before — just, you know, never with a group of, say, 20 or 30 strangers whom I’ve never met. You might ask, “Why the hell would you — or anyone for that matter — want to do something like that, Funky B???” Well, I’ll tell you why. Here are my top 5 reasons for attending Cuddly Party:
1. REiD Mihalko. I interviewed REiD for Dating Roadkill. He said a lot of really great things to about communication and the importance of touch. I was curious. “What is a Cuddle Parties like? And, is REiD a hottie in person?” I simply HAD to attend to discover the answer to these questions and more. (Psst! If you missed the interview with REiD & Grant Stoddard, click the media player below to hear the archived episode.)
2. Curiosity. I like to try new things. I think it’s one of the best ways to keep growing as a person. It keeps you young at heart. And, really, who wants to turn into a nasty, crotchety old person? “Not I,” screams the little brown girl as she types away on the keys to her laptop.
3. Intimacy training. REiD and Marcia are sex education & relationship coaches. At it’s core, Cuddle Party is honestly a workshop that teaches you about: recognizing your boundaries, improving your communication skills, understanding intimacy and learning to express your need for affection. That’s great shit.
4. I’m a pervert. I secretly get a little turned on when I feel an erection softly pressed against my body. (NOTE: *ONLY* if the erection is attached to a really hot guy, and he’s NOT shoving it against me so hard that it feels like I’m being stabbed.) So, when you full-body cuddle with an attractive man, his body might inadvertently “show” you that he’s a little turned on. That’s kind of hot. I’m not saying that any of the guys at Cuddly Party had erections … I’m not saying that they didn’t either … I’m just saying … you know … I really like that feeling.
5. It’s normal. If you’ve ever been even a teeny-tiny bit curious to know what a Cuddle Party is like, ask yourself this question: “In general, am I a sociopathic freakshow that needs to be locked up behind bars?” Chances are, I hope, your answer is no. And, you know what? The rest of the people who will attend the next Cuddle Party are exactly like you. They’re normal. I’m normal. So, why don’t you go check it out? From Montgomery, Alabama to London, England, Cuddly Party is everywhere. Click here to find a Cuddle Party near you. This is a video from Travelistic. I’m not in the video, but I did meet the chick who did this video when I was at Cuddle Party. She seemed super cool:
February 6th, 2007 at 9:41 am
Wow. Hats off to you for trying out new things but I seriously doubt that I could give it a go. I find it hard enough to be in a crowded bus, the thought of actually hugging/being hugged by someone I don’t know gives me the creeps.
February 6th, 2007 at 11:03 am
I attended with the FBC, and I have to say that overall, it’s an interesting and quirky, but GOOD thing to try. It definitely made me think more about my boundaries, both physical and emotional, which I guess is the point. And if nothing else, it just reinforced what I suspected about myself — that I am not the least bit touchy-feely. But that’s okay, too!
February 6th, 2007 at 11:21 am
I am EXTREMELY touchy feely. I have never attended a cuddle party, but I know I would be into it. I love touching people and being touched. I hug and kiss my friends upon greeting and leaving. Good for you for checking it out!! I also dig the the whole erection thing.
February 6th, 2007 at 11:32 am
OMG, I couldn’t stand being touched by strangers.. I work in sales and my clients do *rarely* say goodbye with a kiss.. jeez, it’s so gross!! I think I’d be better if we could cuddle with people we know.. although, it’s because they’re strangers that people don’t feel intimidated. I don’t know what to say!!
February 6th, 2007 at 11:50 am
So, it’s weird to put it out there, but I really love that feeling (of an erection softly pressed against my body) too! I got all fuzzy and sleepy just thinking about it. *sigh*
But how sad is it that my state (Michigan) doesn’t even HAVE cuddle parties yet? I live in one of the coldest states, and we don’t even find value in cuddling enough to throw a party or two designated to the art of it? Pathetic. Maybe I should start it on my own?… Nah, I’m too much of a pervert, too. ;o)
Nat does have a point, though. Cuddling strangers you don’t know just conjures images of me trying to dodge body odor and having to bite my tongue in order to refrain from telling someone they need to buy a damn bar of soap. Hmm…I’ll have to think about this a little longer, I guess!
February 6th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Looks like Minnesota doesn’t have any yet, either. As in Michigan, the prim and stand-offish Midwesterners aren’t ready for this, I guess.
February 6th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!
For sharing your experience :) I so wanted to know what it was like and you went in with the same questions…except even after listening to your show, I just assumed Reid was hot LOL :)
February 7th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Darwin: Yeah, I can’t really see the British being down with Cuddle Party. But, it’s worth mentioning, they’re doing them in London. So, maybe you guys are thawing a little over there.
Bro: You’re a good sport, woman! Thanks for going with me.
Laurie: You’re the perfect candidate for a Cuddly Party. You should soooo go. From what you’ve said, I gather that you’d probably like it.
Nat: That’s funny. :)
AmyD: It’s a great feeling. And, for the record, everyone at Cuddle Party was hygienic. :-) I was clean. They were clean.
stefanie: I’m surprised they don’t have at least one in the Midwest …
History Chic: You are very welcome. If I’m anything, I’m loyal to my FUNKYBROWNCHICK.com readers!! :-)
February 7th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Hi y’all,
Marcia from Cuddle Party here. Just wanted to reply to some of your comments. One thing that (I think) makes Cuddle Party a unique experience is that it’s about CHOICE. Unlike the customers who kiss you goodbye, communication and giving people a choice is the name of the game at a Cuddle Party. Quite frankly, I get creeped out when people just assume its okay to kiss me or hug me, and I do Cuddle Party for a living. When you actually have a choice, and it’s okay to ask for what you need to feel safe, and it’s okay to say No to anything, it’s an entirely different experience than when someone just grabs you. No dodging necessary. :)
Hope this is useful.
Marcia
February 7th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Hey Marcia!! :-) Thanks for clearing that up for everyone. You rock!
February 12th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Hey I just heard about cuddle parties watching the Valentines Day episode of The Map— was this your cuddle party? : http://travelistic.com/video/show/2342
February 12th, 2007 at 11:01 am
WOW!! THANKS FOR THE LINK!!! :-) I met the chick from Travelistic at the Cuddle Party. That’s cool that the video is already up. As you can tell, I’ve embedded it in this post. Thanks, again!
February 13th, 2007 at 10:27 am
I like touch and being touched. Not sure about the cuddle thing though, as hugging feels much more intimate to me than a quick kiss hello or goodbye, hence the hard-ons don’t surprise me.
Where I come from we kiss three times, which in most cases is far from intimate, though I just realized that my definition of ‘intimacy’ can be as silly as the speed with which my lips approach your cheeks, or the distance from my lips to the corners of yours…
Mere millimeters (inches) are an indication of how close we are (or want to be). Kisses on the mouth are hence reserved for moms, GFs, wives & mistresses…
February 13th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Girlfriends, wives *and* mistresses???? Wow, you’re busy. ;)
February 15th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
A man can dream (brag)
February 16th, 2007 at 12:17 am
:)