This is Jackie Samuel, a 29-year-old New York grad student who charges $1 a minute to cuddle with people. Men and women. At her home. Which she calls "The Snuggery."
Yes, this is for real, it's getting major media attention, and it's all perfectly legal. For now.
Samuel told the <em>Henrietta Post </em>that she informally <a href="http://www.henriettapost.com/features/x1990297700/Meet-Penfield-snuggler-Jackie-Samuel?zc_p=0">cuddled for cash</a> years ago, but launched the more official company at the end of her spring semester. The reason, of course, is to help pay the bills for her and her son while she studies social work in the Masters program at the University of Rochester.
The payout? According to <em><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2227708/Jackie-Samuel-snuggle-Cuddling-makes-woman-260-day-New-York.html" target="_blank">The Daily Mail</a></em>, she scores around $260 a day from people snuggling alongside her. Cuddlers are fully clothed. sometimes napping, sometimes just resting, and nothing sexual takes place. Doing the rough math (assuming she works 5-days a week, 52 weeks a year, and not excluding holidays), she could take in approximately $67,600 annually. Not bad for a little nap time.
<a href="http://firsttoknow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Woman_Cuddles_For_Living300.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-12326" title="Woman_Cuddles_For_Living300" src="http://firsttoknow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Woman_Cuddles_For_Living300.jpg" alt="Woman gets paid to cuddle with people for a living." width="300" height="400" /></a>Samuel did try to make her business official, explaining to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2012/07/11/dnt-ny-woman-starts-cuddle-business.wham">CNN</a>, "I need some kind of certification or license that says I'm a certified cuddler, but I couldn't find anybody else who was doing what I was doing." But, as <em><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jackie-samuel-snuggery-charges-1-minute-for-cuddling-2012-11" target="_blank">Business Insider</a></em> noted, certified cuddling isn't a thing you can get a license for, so she's doing it anyway. And, things are going very well.
"Since July, things have expanded," the <em>BI</em> article states. "Samuel has offered new services, like reading bedtime stories, and hired a red-headed associate named Colleen." However, at this stage Colleen can only participate in "<a href="http://www.thesnuggery.org/rates_services.html">double cuddle" sessions with Samuels</a>, which cost $2 a minute.
"I think clients come to me for all different kinds of reasons," Samuel told the <em>Daily Mail</em>. "Some of my older clients, their wives have passed away, and they just need someone to be with, like someone to experience touch with. Some of the younger clients are between relationships, some are in problematic relationships, and some people are just really curious and they come to just find out what it's going to be like."
That said, not everyone is supportive when they learn about her current occupation.
"Some have said I am worse than a prostitute because they think snuggling is more intimate than sex. I've been told I'm monetizing love."
People's opinions aside, legally this is not prostitution, which is the act of offering one's self for hire to engage in sexual relations. Samuel makes it clear on her website and in person that sexual activity is not permitted, and states that clients must wear clothing and can't touch body parts covered by underwear. Still, with all the media attention she's been getting lately, it's only a matter of time before the state steps in to make sure her home business is really above board.
Until then, Samuel shall hug on. As he said, "I think I was born knowing how to snuggle. Snuggling is healthy, spiritual and fun."
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2227708/Jackie-Samuel-snuggle-Cuddling-makes-woman-260-day-New-York.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 9px;"><em>Photos: Daily Mail</em></span></a>
I think I have found the news site I have been looking for. No masses of Political fights, just interesting stories.
That was a very clever business concept. I think its something that could have been kept in the shadows, but still creative. Does anybody think a trend could be started, while the market is still developing? I’m just saying…
This is very normal and natural and healthy .Go to hug the monkey.com
To be human is to need touch .Better warm and cuddled than cold and dead.
govt needs to step aside and be thankful this young woman has found a way to stay off the public dole
kudos to you cuddle bug
Not everyone can “touch” another in this way. Sounds like the work of an Angel.
How much for some dry humping
Or a penis lip cuddle?
“Still, with all the media attention she’s been getting lately, it’s only a matter of time before the state steps in to make sure her home business is really above board.”
- This is what is a huge part of what is wrong with this country, folks. Why would that be necessary? Why can’t this woman be left alone to make money and live her life as she sees fit?
Because the government gets a big fat cut of every business proposition. First they control and regulate the business, then tax the business, then tax the individual who makes money off the business.
For an extra $20 will she let me fart on her at the end?
The issue I have with the article is that at the end you said. “Until then, Samuel shall hug on. As he said, “I think I was born knowing how to snuggle. Snuggling is healthy, spiritual and fun.” This paragraph kind of contradicts the whole article. Since it is about a woman named Jackie Samuel.
I just worry that maybe she is setting herself up to get raped and/or killed in doing this. I hope this doesn’t happen. This just doesn’t seem safe, to let strangers in her life like this. I trust no one so I just wouldn’t do it.
Well, it’s nice to know she’s out there willing to help. Maybe there’s even one down in AZ. If not, there’s your supplemental income opportunity…
Well in song of Tizziano Ferro as ,,Perverso,, how men are perverse! This girl should get a better idea they just be like in quetes ” prostitute”! Men are getting adventage of her! I know what men can be cabeble off! I wouldn`t us my body I will use my brain! Seems to me that this girl don`t get it! For men it looks like it is a great idea ,but from my own point of view. It is a shit holl what she is doing! It is interesting point of view ,but hey ladies we are better then that!I was a stripper and I know how men do stuff to women! So girl do something different in business! I rather will snuggle with women as mom then with men. I want she will snuggle with kids and teenagers and young people then with men! Young people need love and care! Be there as mom! P.S. next time some one of guys will f… her over with money! Bianca
Haha are you mad at men because you are single with a kid..lol You rather snuggle with a teenager? so you are a pedofile now?..haha
You can’t even spell pedophile, let alone understand the meaning of the word.
Pedophiles do much more than snuggle with people for income. I shouldn’t have to explain this to you, and you shouldn’t use words you can’t spell and don’t understand.
Go back to your home country. Now.
She looks more like 35-40 than 29. She’s still a hottie though
“Snuggling is healthy, spiritual and fun.”
True but only if both parties are doing it for the enjoyment (and not the money) they get out of it.
Japanese have been doing this for years I suspect that’s how she thought of it .
I congratulate her in her innovation however I do not posses a level of comfort to randomly cuddle with someone. She is very beautiful I hope the best for her.
“Still, with all the media attention she’s been getting lately, it’s only a matter of time before the state steps in to make sure her home business is really above board.” ): Bye bye Liberty and Freedom. Bye Land of the Free.