Indeed, it’s hard to imagine that among all of these cuddling strangers, there aren’t some super-creepy lurkers who see these events — which occasionally end in a “puppy pile” — as sanctioned gropefests. A 48-year-old California male on CuddleComfort.com (where men vastly outnumber women) told me he “craves human touch that ranges from platonic to intimate to sensual” and that his wife doesn’t know he cuddles on the side. But on-the-level cuddle outfits make a big deal out of teaching consent language to attendees. Jean’s clients practice asking for a hug and saying “no, thank you” as cuddle party kickoffs.
Doesn’t it all seem so artificial, though? I asked Jean why we can’t just get our oxytocin from nuzzling our pets, who aren’t likely to ask for our phone number, smell like hummus, or get an erection (yep, cuddle party foul). She has a client who says it’s just not the same with his cat — but I wasn’t convinced.
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