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[Plies]

While I was browsing the web on my lunch break, I came across an article about friend rental services and their increasing popularity around the world. Having never heard of such a service before, I couldn't quite believe my eyes.

However it appears I'm a little slow off the mark. The website, RentaFriend.com, has already been a big hit in America, where more than 218,000 people have signed up!

The website is free to use if you are just 'browsing' for friends, i.e. looking at people's profiles and photos, but if you want to contact someone you will need to pay a one off $20 membership fee. This is on top of the negotiable fee your new 'friend' charges you. It is however completely free to advertise yourself as a potential friend.





Initially, yes, it sounds ridiculous, but I can see how such a service would be useful to some people.

For example, if you move to a city where you don't know anyone, work long hours or travel a lot, it is not always easy to meet people.



What do you think? Would you ever rent a friend? And would you consider renting yourself out as a friend to make a little money?

 

[HRK69]

 

[Adapting]

With benefits? then we're talking

 

[El Muerto]

That just sounds like prostitution without the sex stuff.

 

[DKehoe]

I have to imagine that would feel pretty hollow. Instead of doing something like that, I think you'd be better off trying to meet new people and build new friendships. A friend of mine moved to a different country for work and used the friend feature on the dating app Bumble, which lets you match with people who are also looking to make friends rather than start a relationship. That apparently worked out well for them.

I'm lucky to have kept a solid circle of friends. It's definitely harder for us to hang out now, with work and family commitments, but we still manage to meet up pretty regularly. I hear a lot of guys my age say they don't really have friends anymore and feel bad for them.

 

[Kilau]

This is the plot to a few movies from the 1980s.

 

[Dacvak]

No way. I neglect all of the friends I have too much already.

 

[Walter Matthau]

If anyone wants to throw some money my way, I'll start an OnlyFriends account

 

[T8SC]

No, but I'd consider selling some.

 

[mitch1971]

Weekend is closing in guys.

 

[Hookshot]

I feel sorry for some people but not the friendless, they must just be cunts.

 

[Plies]

they must just be cunts.

Or smelly.

 

[TintoConCasera]

Yeah why not? During the last few years I've lost most of my friends and it would be cool to have someone to play videogames with.

 

[Rockondevil]

I feel sorry for some people but not the friendless, they must just be cunts.

As a friendless cunt, I don't hate it.

 

[badblue]

Yeah... I would. Though if I'm paying someone to be my friend she's going to have big tits and would share my interest in touching my penis as well.

 

[rm082e]

 

[Trogdor1123]

If you are that bad just subscribe to chat gpt and talk to it

 

[Bojji]

That just sounds like prostitution without the sex stuff.

 

[darkonaut]

 

[Toons]

Don't need to.

 

[Doom85]

Weeknd is closing in guys.

Eh, we've got time, he seems a little lost.

 

[Liopleurodon]

Yeah...

I'm lonely, pathetic, and sad loser.

 

[bender]

I'm a little slow...

 

[p_xavier]

I'm a lonely guy so yes.

 

[Plies]

I'm a lonely guy so yes.

I'd pay you, tbh.

 

[GeekyDad]

I think I'd rather buy a gun and shoot myself in the mouth. No offense.

 

[Plies]

I think I'd rather buy a gun and shoot myself in the mouth. No offense.

Offense taken.

 

[near]

Can you build an authentic friendship from a service like that? I don't think so. This seems really sad and depressing.

 

[Hudo]

GAF is my friend.

 

[Mr Reasonable]

GAF is my friend.

 

[Hudo]

The real sign of friendship is absolute hatred.

 

[Solarstrike]

Maybe if it was a robot who could help me (or the neighbors) do chores. I imagine, in the near future, apartment buildings, condos, even neighborhoods, or parks will have that sort of thing. Where people could "subscribe" to a service, whether either for a companion/friend, helper, or running partner per motivation and exercise. It's probably a "Smart City" thing I'm envisioning

 

[navii]

I wouldn't. I hope I would never have to. But I can see it as a way for someone socially awkward to learn how to be around people and make friends.

 

[SJRB]

If you are feeling lonely, it might be better for your psyche to subscribe to ChatGPT or Grok than to pay actual people to pretend to be your friend. Grok especially has many different personalities to choose from (yes, also an 18+ mode).

Even if you just want to actually talk to someone I would recommend a large language model. I haven't tested voice mode on Grok but with ChatGPT the latency is pretty much non-existent, it's like you're talking to a human being.

 

[p_xavier]

If you are feeling lonely, it might be better for your psyche to subscribe to ChatGPT or Grok than to pay actual people to pretend to be your friend. Grok especially has many different personalities to choose from (yes, also an 18+ mode).

Even if you just want to actually talk to someone I would recommend a large language model. I haven't tested voice mode on Grok but with ChatGPT the latency is pretty much non-existent, it's like you're talking to a human being.

I actually argued with Grok so much and I have trust issues now. So much blantant disinformation,

 

[ForAcademicPurposes]

I would rent a dog. Man's best friend.

 

[Kaachan]

Only if they come with benefits

 

[Shubh_C63]

I could yeah.
Rent a friend, especially woman, go to a bar and ask her to be my wingman.

 

[p_xavier]

I'd pay you, tbh.

I'm a pain in the ass though.

 

[clarky]

I would rent a dog. Man's best friend.

You can't rent love.

 

[AJUMP23]

Not friends if you are paying.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

I understand what it's about.

I wouldn't do it; it could backfire and lead to kidnapping, bodily harm, or even assault.

Besides, that's not an original idea; they copied the idea from the Japanese with the rental of friends with cosplay.

 

[kremiso]

finally i could offer my cousin, that is a joypad destroyer

 

[nush]

I've paid for timeshare girlfriends, but paying someone just to hang out? Na, I'm good.

 

[Durien]

Or smelly.

Why can't it be both.gif

 

[Hideous Snake]

Fuck no. I got my small circle and we basically grew up together

I'm good

 

[rkofan87]

no who wants fake friends.

 

[Shaki12345]

If you're lonely, go work out or play multiplayer.

 

[Plies]

who wants fake friends.

Those looking for convenience.

 

[LakeOf9]

This reminds me of a terrible, terrible anime I once watched that had a sort of similar premise

Anyway no