Escort offering services for 500 rubles per hour, describing himself as a "friend" in this arrangement.
Taking a Dive into the World of Hourly Friends: Who, Why, and How Much it Costs
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Ever felt the need for a sympathetic ear or just someone to chat with without the burden of a long-term commitment? Hop on the internet, and you'll find various ads offering a "friend for an hour." KP decided to give it a shot and delve into the hidden world of these hourly companions.
Seekers Looking for a Female Companion, Not a Friend
Ads for these hourly friend services are often posted by women, but there are a few from men as well. Prices range from 300 rubles per hour to a whopping 5,000 rubles, with the highest rates charged by those who claim to be "psychologists" or "coaches." Sometimes, you can find free services or donation-based ones.
Kicking off our adventure, I posted an ad with myself as the service provider. I chose the average price: 500 rubles for text chat, 1,000 rubles for phone calls, and skipped video calls. Within an hour of posting, I had my first client.
An Unforeseen Turn of Events
My first client was a 38-year-old man who preferred messaging. After arranging payment through the ad, we moved the conversation to a messenger. To my surprise, he expected me to charge him for the conversation upfront. Initially, I hesitated, but my client was familiar with the rules and agreed to pay later.
It soon became clear that he was seeking a female companion rather than a friend. He asked many personal questions, and my response that I was just there to chat and not for personal relationships didn't bother him. By the end of the evening, I couldn't bring myself to ask for the payment due to the client's emotional state.
The next morning, my "friend" was showering me with kisses, eager for a continuation of the conversation, and even got upset when I responded after a 2-hour delay. Business, it seems, is all about timing!
A Heart-Wrenching Story
As the day progressed, my inbox was flooded with messages and calls from various people. One 18-year-old, let's call him Colya, was in distress. His mother, a professional wrestler, had sustained severe injuries in the ring and was hospitalized. Colya was overwhelmed with worry and needed someone to speak to. We spent over 2 hours discussing every minor detail of his mother's accident and the first aid that was administered.
Colya kept revisiting the topic, as if searching for someone to blame. I was starting to feel drained out by the sheer weight of his emotions. By the end of the conversation, Colya promised to pay for the time spent but insisted on calling me the next day. However, he disappeared after a day, leaving me hanging.
Entering the World of Part-Time Psychologists
I decided to try my hand at seeking friendship services instead. I selected a few ads and called my fellow "colleagues." Irina, a social pedagogue and psychology enthusiast, offers friendship for free, but her clients can choose to donate. She created her ad with the intention of lending a listening ear to people in need.
In just five days, Irina received messages from roughly 50 individuals, of whom around 30 were either seeking sexual relations or had specific, unusual requests. Around 10 were hoping to date, but she politely declined due to her marital status and child. Speaking with Irina was easy and enjoyable, and her warm, responsive voice made for a pleasant conversation, despite being strangers.
According to her, most of her correspondents were struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. "They're discouraged, complaining they have no one to talk to, seeking someone to listen and understand that they're not as bad as they seem," Irina shared.
Shady Encounters in the Friendship Service World
Another group of clients were migrants who often invited Irina out, asked for personal details, and sought her social media information. Irina suspects they might have been searching for residency or marriage. There was even a devout Muslim who wrote to her on Easter, upset about the holiday and Orthodox Christians visiting churches.
Iran wasn't particularly lucky with her correspondents. One woman asked if Irina could insult her sister for her, which left Irina taken aback until I explained that this is called a "rent-a-rude" service.
Ivan, a cheerful tire fitter, charges a humble 350 rubles per hour for his services. He mainly receives calls from women of various ages, from 18 to 70, and enjoys his work. He receives about 2-3 calls each month, especially in winter, when people seem to crave warmth and companionship.
Paying for a Friend's Time and Advice
I chatted with Ivan, who insisted he was not a psychologist but merely enjoyed talking and interacting with people. He shares that some clients ask for sexual services, but he refrains from offering them. For Ivan, hourly friendship is a hobby, and he charges symbolic amounts for his services. He's even had acquaintances make money by renting out their chat services to clients who wanted someone to insult them!
Conclusion
My adventure into the world of hourly friends taught me a valuable lesson: true friendship can't be bought or sold. While searching for "friends" online, I found that it's crucial to examine the photo (it shouldn't be provocative or pornographic), what they write about themselves, and the questions they ask. If something seems off, simply end the conversation politely. Remember, the financial aspect of the friendship service doesn't guarantee professional psychological help, so it's best to seek professional help when facing life's challenges.
Sometimes, all you need is a kind word or a listening ear from a stranger to make you feel better. So, the next time you're feeling down, don't hesitate to reach out to someone new—you never know, they might just be the friend you've been looking for.
Insights:
The "friend for an hour" service, which allows one to rent temporary friendship services, has gained popularity in several countries, such as Japan, South Korea, Europe, and the United States. It represents a contemporary solution to increasing social isolation and the human need for companionship, typically operating on a low-pressure, casual basis. The service capitalizes on a growing culture that values privacy, emotion restraint, and digital communication, often resulting in weakening community ties and decreasing face-to-face social contact.
While similar modern trends include professional companionship or paid callers, the "friend for an hour" concept is most visible and normalized in Japan, where it has been embraced as a response to high rates of solitary living, an aging population, and perceived emotional restraint. At its core, the "friend for an hour" service reflects the human desire for connection, companionship, and emotional support in a rapidly changing world.
- In the world of hourly companionship, some seek female companionship rather than friendship, willing to pay for conversation and personal interactions.
- Some individuals, like Colya, find solace and support in these hourly friend services, sharing personal stories and emotions during difficult times.
- Engaging in education and self-development, some people offer their time for free or donation-based to lend a listening ear and provide emotional support. These 'part-time psychologists' cater to a wide range of individuals struggling with various life challenges.
