RentaFriend.com

[LeeBee]

Heard about this on the radio this morning... For $50 you can pay someone to hang out with you.

There was a mother who secretly rented a friend for her 18 year old daughter, because she had never had any friends and was going off to college.

I heard another story about a woman who moved to a new town and didn't know anyone, so she rented a friend to help her meet new friends.

Opinions?

 

[Rhio92]

Hmmm... That's wierd. If they pretend to be your friend, that's just wierd. But if they help you meet people, then I spose it's not too bad But then that's decepting the people who you then meet, and that's wrong...

 

[Laura2919]

Its a bit weird and not for me but if it works for others..

 

[tallybee]

Bit effed up to me really. I do understand how isolating it is to be in a new place with nobody to call a friend or anything, but there's something a bit sinister about paying a fake friend. Surely the old-fashioned thing of getting out to groups, making yourself go out and interact with new people is better in the long-run? Yes it's tough and can be a long time going (2 years we lived here before I could truthfully say I've got a friend here, as opposed to just someone who's kid plays with mine), but a hired person wouldn't be a true friend either If I was gonna hire someone for anything I'd hire a home help, get some help with the jobs about the house that pile up, whilst doing that I'd bet there'd be more chance of striking up a friendship with that person than with someone who has to force it because that's what they're charging for!!

 

[Sarahkka]

Not sure if I'm putting this the right way, but my first impression of that was that it was mildly... "whorish"?
As in, you are paying someone to fake a sort of intimacy.
So I find it kind of silly and kind of creepy, too.

 

[tallybee]

Not sure if I'm putting this the right way, but my first impression of that was that it was mildly... "whorish"?
As in, you are paying someone to fake a sort of intimacy.
So I find it kind of silly and kind of creepy, too.

Yeah .... I think you've put the nail on what I meant by sinister about it. Weird.

 

[JASMAK]

Kind of funny...but if you want to do something and you don't have anyone and you really want to go with someone, I could see it being a good option. I tend to get along with most people, so I wouldn't be shy about that. So long as the person wasn't creepy. It would be a fun job, no? lol

 

[sarah0108]

I find it weird, although, i can sort of see the reasoning behind it? If that makes sense

 

[tallybee]

Kind of funny...but if you want to do something and you don't have anyone and you really want to go with someone, I could see it being a good option. I tend to get along with most people, so I wouldn't be shy about that. So long as the person wasn't creepy. It would be a fun job, no? lol

Good point actually!

 

[Surprise]

Maybe the people who work as the "friend-for-rent" are very outgoing and warm people, who genuinely enjoy meeting new people and spending time with them. I'm sure the company hires employees with a certain personality who have a knack like that. In which case, it's a great job and would benefit the clients as well. And maybe some true friendships are formed as a result.