At 77, writer Catherine Hiller decided to step outside her comfort zone by paying $69 to attend a cuddle party in New York City. She expected an evening of affectionate physical contact with strangers, imagining people embracing, stroking one another and forming cosy groups. Instead, the experience was far more subdued. The event was strictly non-sexual and centred on consent, with participants required to ask for permission before touching anyone. After a workshop on boundaries, Hiller made a few requests herself, but nobody asked to touch her. Many attendees simply talked rather than cuddled, leaving her disappointed and prompting her to leave early.
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