Would you allow a complete stranger to touch you?
For most people, the answer would be a firm no, but
not at Touch Me parties, the latest trend from Korea to hit the clubbing scene
from Singapore.
At these parties, clubbers are given stickers with a hand
or a pair of lips on them representing touching and kissing respectively. The
clubbers then paste these stickers on any part of their body to show that they
consent to being touched there.
An example of how to use the stickers given at Touch Me parties:
(Photo credits to www.thydowager.com)
Mr Jurrel Toh from events and marketing company
Revolution Singapore said reception towards the new concept has been “really
good so far, averaging 500 partygoers on each volume. Their feedback has been
good as well, stating that they feel safer letting people know where their
comfort zone is.”
However, some like 20-year-old Sharmaine Goh, feel
that a Touch Me party isn’t safe.
“Personally, I don’t think it’s a very good idea
because I’m not comfortable with people touching me or me touching somebody
else if I don’t know them.”
She added that one of her biggest concerns about the
parties was that clubbers could be taken advantage of.
“What if you are touched in a way that you’re not
comfortable with? What could go wrong is the violation of personal space and
modesty, especially if you’re a girl, and I think if you want to go for this
kind of thing you have to be prepared for it and be able to cope if something
does go wrong.”
Touch Me parties are said to be safe, but some worry that the parties could easily get out of hand.
(Photo credits to www.thydowager.com)
But Mr Toh stressed that the parties were “in no way taken as a way to allow molestation or people being
taken advantage of”, and were only to allow clubbers to express how comfortable
they were around other people.
He added that partygoers were mostly invited guests
who were chosen from a strict selection process, and bouncers were on hand to
make sure guests behaved appropriately.
Even with these strict rules, some remain wary.
46-year-old administration manager Nancy Tai said: “The
party just seems like a good opportunity to violate girls, plus it gives people
the impression that you’re ‘easy’ and willing to be touched by strangers. There’s
no right or wrong for this, but I don’t think it’s appropriate.”
She added: “I’m worried because I have a daughter and
I wouldn’t want her or her friends to go to this kind of party because what if
something happens? People may think it’s safe but you’re pasting stickers on
your breasts and your bottom… You’re encouraging openly sexual touching and by
that you’re inevitably encouraging something else.”
An example of what a Touch Me party is like:
(Video taken from YouTube channel insiteTV1)
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