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Need a Friend? Rent One Online

Posted by samzenpus on from the you-get-what-you-pay-for dept.

crimeandpunishment writes "Housewives, college students, and others are working for a website that charges users an hourly rate for their companionship. No, it's not an escort service — at least it's not one 'with benefits.' It's a site called rentafriend.com, that's trying to carve out a niche in the 'everything's available online' business world. The seven-month-old site, patterned after hugely successful sites in Asia, has nearly 2,000 members who pay either a monthly or yearly fee to check out the pictures and profiles of more than 160,000 potential pals." I thought Craigslist had already cornered the market on renting a friend for an hour or two.

2 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. Counselling by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    This service isn't anything to do with being "friends". It's essentially a counselling service where anyone can volunteer to be a paid listener, and people who need someone to either talk to or simply to be there so they can overcome their social issues of going somewhere alone can pay them.

    I actually think it's a good idea *if* the people on both sides of the transaction are being honest about what they want out of it.

  2. Re:This is just beyond lame. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm no social butterfly, but when I'm alone out of town I have no problem going to a bar and finding random people to talk to. It's not hard, people. Beer helps.

    Congratulations.
    You can turn in your geek card at the door.

    BTW - if you haven't figured it out yet, not everyone feels comfortable talking to random strangers, and some of us are unable to pour enough booze into our system to get rid of our inhibitions before we pass out.