Catherine Hiller, a writer about pleasure, decided to attend a cuddle party in New York City despite not being able to find anyone to accompany her. The event was described as a social gathering where participants engage in non-sexual touch and affection. Hiller was intrigued by the idea of cuddling with strangers, something she had not done before. The website for the event emphasized that it was non-sexual, drug and alcohol free, and participants had to be 18 or older. Hiller imagined a sensual paradise where she would be cuddled by attractive and open-minded people and eagerly anticipated the experience.
Attending the cuddle party alone, Hiller noticed the low-profile nature of the event. The venue lacked cleanliness and privacy, which made her uncomfortable. The workshop on consent took longer than expected but proved to be valuable in teaching participants how to ask for and refuse touch. Despite the initial awkwardness, Hiller found that the exercises helped her overcome inhibitions. However, as the evening progressed, she found herself feeling like a wallflower as many were not engaging in cuddling but rather having awkward conversations. She met a German woman who was also a first-timer but was more interested in finding a partner than cuddling.
Hiller felt disappointed as she didn’t engage in any meaningful cuddling interactions and observed that the event did not meet her expectations. She realized that the absence of alcohol or other substances made it harder for her to be sociable. Feeling out of place, she left the event before its conclusion and was eager to return home to her husband, who provided the comfort and connection she was seeking. Despite not engaging in any physical touch at the cuddle party, Hiller reflected on the experience and received a message from the German woman who had contracted Covid, prompting her to consider the potential risks of attending such an event during a pandemic.
Ultimately, Hiller was grateful that she did not contract Covid but acknowledged the blow to her vanity from the disappointing experience at the cuddle party. She shared her reflections on the event in her writing, emphasizing the importance of consent and the value of human connection in various forms. Hiller’s exploration of this unique social gathering provided her with insights into her own expectations and desires, ultimately leading her back to the comfort and security of her loving relationship with her husband. The experience served as a reminder of the complexity of human interaction and the importance of genuine connections in a world that often lacks sincerity.
