By Paul Brett, Gleaner Writer
PUBLIC RELATIONS manager at Hedonism II, .Negril, Westmoreland, Denise Tait, speaks with the passion of Oprah Winfrey, underscored by the elegance of Mitsy Seaga, when clarifying misinformation about the kind of hedonistic pleasures the resort provides for its clientele. Here in her own words, the svelte 'angel of pleasures' sets the record straight regarding some of the misleading and pigeonholed ideas by the local public about the inner workings at one of SuperClubs' most sought-after resorts.
NOT ABOUT SEX: People often unfairly and wrongly (our local market more so than overseas) perceive Hedonism II and III as being resorts that focus on sex. This is very far from the truth. It is about total liberation of the mind, body, spirit and soul.
I am not saying that clearly sex does not happen, but it does not happen any more here than at any other resort. The difference with Hedonism, I would imagine, is that we are marketed as a risqué resort and so we might have a bit more 'harmless fun'. This fun is what we class 'naughty but nice'. It's nothing crass or lewd; it's something that's subtle.
NAUGHTINESS: For example, we have our weekly pyjama party, prior to which, we have what is called 'battle of the sexes' (which is really men competing against women in playful sex-related activities). Properly clothed men and women get 10 seconds to demonstrate as many sexual positions as possible and are adjudged based on creativity in order to gain points for their group. There is also another popular competition whereby we adjudge those who can fake the biggest orgasm. These are just two examples of entertainment that is structured around what we regard as being risqué.
We also have wet T-shirt contests, boys on motion competitions (where men can strut their stuff). Once again everything is done in good taste and makes good, clean fun. Depending on how you look at it, we play on sexual subtleties in the same manner that some singers use innuendoes in their lyrics, creating a naughty and sometimes, an amusing perspective on sex.
HUMAN NATURE: Many different kinds of people make up this world and as a result we have a wide variety of people who come here from every sector of society. We have from a stripper working in the United States to the chief executive officer of companies visiting us daily. The main thing that our range of clientele has in common is the desire to experience a sense of liberation that is different from their regular routine and way of life. Some people get this sense of release or liberation from dressing up we have some guests who visit here with several suitcases of costumes which they wear when playing different roles and playing out different characters.
PRUDE AND NUDE: The emphasis is not on sex. The ambience is divided into sections dubbed prude and nude. So we have designated areas where people think they belong; somewhere they feel comfortable. Having said that, tell me the name of any prime resorts on the coasts of Jamaica that does not allow children, which does not have a nude section? What is particularly peculiar about what we provide is that it's a place that caters to all the seasons, in that everyone, regardless of their background, can find something that they enjoying doing.
CLASSIC HEDONISTS: I was told by one of our multiple repeaters that he brought a tour group of strippers and crusaders to Hedonism II a few years ago. Everybody in this group had high expectations of having a good time when they arrived and so dutifully they gathered over breakfast and discussed what they had done the day before.
Invariably, the strippers discussed with the crusaders the activities they participated in on the nude section whilst the crusaders chatted about the restfulness of the place and their experiences reading verses from their Daily Word whilst enjoying the calming effect of swinging hammocks. The moral of the story is when both parties return home, both parties would have equally enjoyed their holiday at the same resort by doing very different things. But most importantly, doing things they enjoyed, which allow them their own personal liberation. I doubt whether one can get that sort of latitude and variety anywhere else in the world in the context of creating your our personal liberation and getting the very best from it notwithstanding the variety of peoples from around the world among whom you find yourself celebrating who you are.
CONSENTING ADULTS: I cannot say that sex doesn't happen here, but I must point out that it is not at the forefront of our best of intentions. At the end of the day, anyone who comes here must be over 18 and is a consenting adult. No one is forced to do anything, which he/she doesn't want to. However, if one were to go beyond the parameters of what Hedonism regards as being extreme, we do not hesitate to communicate how we feel. This is a very important fact. Secondly, our creative team ensures that our infrastructure allows variety so that everyone is able to enjoy his/her vacation equally. No one is allowed to display offensive behaviour that will warrant someone else feeling uncomfortable.
