Hold Me Like You Did On Naboo

[rkmsuf]

Is it poor form to pop a rod?

-------------------------------------------------

A Look Inside Local Cuddle Parties
Reporting
Mary Stoker Smith PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― In today's non-stop rush to get here and there, maneuvering through a crowd of hundreds and in and out of lines of traffic, some people worry that they are losing touch with each other. Now as CBS 3's Mary Stoker-Smith reports there's a way to really reach out and touch somebody else. You can do it a cuddle party.

A Cuddle Party may look like a pajama party for grown-ups. It's fun but there are rules. The number one rule, pajamas stay on the whole time. This is a non-sexual event.

Okay, now that we have that out of the way you may ask yourself, what's a cuddle party?

"This is a way of framing touch in a positive way," says cuddle party facilitator Edie Weinstein-Moser.

Edie says the parties which are held around the country and in our area are meant to help people achieve better intimacy, and communication. And it allows people to express themselves in a comfortable and safe environment.

There's snuggling, nuzzling and even spooning. But not everyone's ready for a group hug right away since you may not know everyone. So to get comfortable there are a few steps to start with.

The first step, whether you're with a partner or by yourself, is to sit and chat in a welcome circle. You hear the rules which include asking permission and getting a verbal yes before you touch anybody. And if everyone agrees to all of the rules, the cuddling begins.

"I love experiencing the feelings that come up when you connect with each individual person," said cuddle party-goer Linda Hunter at a recent Phoenixville party.

"Day to day life can get isolating so it's nice to have something to break out of that pattern," says Eric Merlino, another cuddle guest.

For Eric Hunter, "I have finally completely overcome my social anxiety that I had for decades."

Cuddle parties last for about 3 hours and pajamas and stuffed animals are optional.

"These folks enjoyed themselves, they tell me they leave feeling lighter emotionally and physically," said Edie. "You can't help but smile being around this."

And who doesn't love a good hug once in a while?

hxxp://cbs3.com/local/Cuddle.Party.Pajama.2.709239.html?973

[MikeVic]

Sweet.

[Cringer]

I would pop a rod, so if it's poor form I may not be welcome.

[MikeVic]

Oh I didn't see the question. If you're spooning with a hot ass and it's rubbing into you, and she has a nice voice. I can see popping a rod.

edit: And I'd assume popping a rod would be poor form.

[Desnudo]

I wonder if that article is the apex of Mary Stoker Smith's career arc.

[Dr. Sak]

The article says nothing about dry humping.

[rkmsuf]

It's pretty much rock bottom if you go to one of these and can't get a "verbal yes".

[JonInMiddleGA]

Seems like this is just destined to end with somebody getting sued by somebody.
(The cuddle parties, not this thread)

[Drake]

I can't even wrap my mind around this notion.

[BrianD]

Seems odd that we have to create artificial structures to allow ourselves to be human. Can't people just go hug their family members? How about getting back into the habit of shaking hands with friends and co-workers when you see them? Are we so worried about bad touching and being inappropriate that we need to organize a social gathering with the sole purpose of making it ok to touch someone?

[rkmsuf]

It's like a AA affiliate of the orgy league.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I've been trying to start these things at my job, but for the past year, nobody has responded to my meeting requests.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by BrianD

Seems odd that we have to create artificial structures to allow ourselves to be human. Can't people just go hug their family members? How about getting back into the habit of shaking hands with friends and co-workers when you see them? Are we so worried about bad touching and being inappropriate that we need to organize a social gathering with the sole purpose of making it ok to touch someone?

Those are not good choices because if I pop a rod doing those then I know for sure I have problems.

[sachmo71]

1941 America is ashamed of us.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by BrianD

Seems odd that we have to create artificial structures to allow ourselves to be human. Can't people just go hug their family members? How about getting back into the habit of shaking hands with friends and co-workers when you see them? Are we so worried about bad touching and being inappropriate that we need to organize a social gathering with the sole purpose of making it ok to touch someone?

How many people actually have family members nearby/see them often enough to have frequent physical contact with them?

Friends? You mean people actually still have time to see them with any degree of frequency? Seriously, I can't recall the last time I actually saw anyone I would describe as a "friend" (versus an "acquaintance") in person, it's been months at the very least.

Co-workers? Other than my wife, there aren't any. And in an era of telecommuting, entrepreneurs, etc., that can be a very small number for a good many people I would think.

And is a hug/touch really worth the risk of being sued, falsely (or correctly) accused of "inappropriate", etc? Or having an employer disapprove even if the parties involved are perfectly okay with it?

Now granted, I'm not describing "normal" circumstances, everybody's life ain't organized like mine. But Philly is a good sized city, and if even 1% of the 1.5 million population has the same situation, that's 15,000 people. And if 1% of those find this appealing, there's a 150 person "cuddle party".

And FTR, I'm not trying to rag on anything Brian said, I'm genuinely wondering whether all of the things I ask really do play a part in making this appealing to some people. To me it isn't, but maybe to some ... ?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

It's pretty much rock bottom if you go to one of these.

fixed

[Lathum]

I love my wife and I rarely cuddle with her unless it leads to sex. Why would I cuddle with complete strangers?

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I love my wife and I rarely cuddle with her unless it leads to sex. Why would I cuddle with complete strangers?

who said you would?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

who said you would?

would what?

[MikeVic]

I think cuddling is great.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

How many people actually have family members nearby/see them often enough to have frequent physical contact with them?

Friends? You mean people actually still have time to see them with any degree of frequency? Seriously, I can't recall the last time I actually saw anyone I would describe as a "friend" (versus an "acquaintance") in person, it's been months at the very least.

Co-workers? Other than my wife, there aren't any. And in an era of telecommuting, entrepreneurs, etc., that can be a very small number for a good many people I would think.

And is a hug/touch really worth the risk of being sued, falsely (or correctly) accused of "inappropriate", etc? Or having an employer disapprove even if the parties involved are perfectly okay with it?

Now granted, I'm not describing "normal" circumstances, everybody's life ain't organized like mine. But Philly is a good sized city, and if even 1% of the 1.5 million population has the same situation, that's 15,000 people. And if 1% of those find this appealing, there's a 150 person "cuddle party".

And FTR, I'm not trying to rag on anything Brian said, I'm genuinely wondering whether all of the things I ask really do play a part in making this appealing to some people. To me it isn't, but maybe to some ... ?

We have enough similarities that I worry one day I am 100% like you.

I live 2000 miles away from my family. Since I moved down here from Washington 12 years ago I have never had one real friend. I had the same co-driver for 8 years and when the guy calls me up every few months now to catch up I could not care less.

I have a wife and daughter, three dogs, and alone time. I am fine.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Cringer

I am fine.

I'm pretty much okay with it myself, but I can imagine there are people who aren't.

As we (my wife & I) discussed when we moved to Athens, we weren't moving here looking for friends, it was all about access to better schools for our son.
Frankly, the last thing on earth either of us were interested in were adding people/things to the list of demands on our time. Between the three of us under this roof & the various want-to's and have-to's in our lives, work, school-related stuff, pet-related stuff, and dealing with parents that are 2-4 hours away and aging into that next phase of life ... well, we're short on hours in a day as it is.

[rkmsuf]

"And to all the beautiful people. There are more of us than there are of you."

[Mustang]

#1 - The first rule of Cuddle Party is, you do not talk about Cuddle Parties.

#2 - The second rule of Cuddle Parties is, you DO NOT talk about Cuddle Parties.

#3 - If someone says cuddle, goes hard, pops out, the cuddle is over.

#4 - Two people to a spoon.

#5 - One cuddle at a time.

#6 - Pajamas, no shoes.

#7 - Cuddles will go on as long as they have to.

#8 - If this is your first night at a Cuddle Party, you have to cuddle.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think Mustang may have just won the thread.

[kcchief19]

Yeah, this tread is over. Impressive, Mustang. Most impressive.

[path12]

Are furries allowed?

[MikeVic]

Pajamas only.

[path12]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Pajamas only.

What if you had pajamas over your furry outfit?

[MikeVic]

Hmm. That's open for debate I think. I'm no expert or anything on these.

[path12]

I see. I had heard that you would know the answer.

[MikeVic]

No, that's the other Mike. MikeVick7.

[Karlifornia]

Mustang beat me to it, except I wanted to take the song "TV Party" by Black Flag and turn into "Cuddle Party"

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Mustang beat me to it, except I wanted to take the song "TV Party" by Black Flag and turn into "Cuddle Party"

You should still do that. I want to sing it.

[AZSpeechCoach]

I'm waiting for a Pumpy cuddle story.

[SFL Cat]

Non-sexual...Yeah, right. Like that'll last...