In a sex-crazed society, where physical attraction, sexual potency, sensuality and sex drive are the traits sought after the most and promoted ubiquitously, innocent (?) physical affection and contact seem outwardly.

Two American women saw the market niche and claim to offer exactly that, to both males and females. Jackie and Colleen call themselves the ‘snugglers’ and charge around 90 Euros per hour for cosying up to clients who are in need of a hug (no sexual strings attached, they say). They claim they are doing it for purely therapeutical reasons, as people leading stressful lives with all their anxieties crave for a simple hug to feel better and relax.

“I think I was born with the ability to snuggle. It is something healthy, spiritual and fun”, says 29-year old Jackie. It might sound like a strange business, but it has lucrative returns. Jackie, for example makes around 200 Euros per day by cuddling up to 30 men. “Clients come to me for various reasons. Some are widowers and need companionship. Others are younger but are having problems in their relationships, others again are just curious”, says the ‘smuggler’.

She always wears pyjamas when ‘working’ and claims the boundaries of her services are clearly defined, as touching specific areas of her body is strictly off limits. The ‘snuggle’ business seems to have caught on, as there is web site called ‘The Snuggle Buddies’, where female and male ’snugglers’ of all types are ready to give you a hug for a price, of course. If you are willing to pay line up.