Photo: Family Romance
When did life get so complicated?
By Liza Walter — Written on May 12, 2017
Have you ever looked through your social media news feed and become a bit depressed at how everyone is having fun with friends and you're at home watching The Office for the billionth time?
I get it.
It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that your life is boring compared to your friends posting pictures of fancy food and beach sunsets.
But now, a Japanese company Family Romance is offering services to help you (well, if you live in Japan) up your social media game.
Through Real Appeal, you can now hire a friend to accompany you for certain events, and though the price may be considered high (8,000 yen = $70 U.S for every two hours), it comes with unlimited pictures. That means you can use the entire night to chop away at the available gig space on your phone with selfies so you, too, can feel popular and loved.
According to their site, you can choose by age, gender, and appearance. Who knew making friends was this easy?
There is a caveat: You will need to pay for their transportation and any food or beverage consumed during the event. But that's such a small price to pay to start racking up those likes, and comments, right?
A review (translated from Japanese to English) states:
I asked for the same generation of men and women, and took pictures of the scenery I went to the sea with three couples to play with the camera. I was given a pretty girl or a boy with a refreshing system as I wanted and everyone really enjoyed me and I was delighted so many good pictures were taken. I was able to write good articles on Instagram and Blog, and I was glad that they got "nice" and comments as well. Thank you.
Guess what? There's a similar service here in the United States!
According to their website, RentAFriend.com:
RentAFriend.com is a website that allows you to rent local Friends from all over the world. You can rent a local Friend to hang out with, go to a movie or restaurant with, or someone to go with you to a party or event.
Rent a friend to teach you a new skill or hobby, or to show you around an unfamiliar town.
RentAFriend.com is strictly a platonic Friendship website.
RentAFriend.com is NOT a dating website, and NOT an Escort agency. Services on RentAFriend.com are strictly for FRIENDSHIP purposes only.
Is it really a bad thing? No, not bad. But definitely sad.
Why is it that in this day and age, making and maintaining friendships is so difficult? With all these social media platforms, you'd think it'd be easier.
It appears, though, and I've gone through this myself, that watching other people live through Facebook can be very depressing. It always feels like you're missing out on some big inside joke, or maybe you weren't invited to an event you wouldn't have gone to anyway!
So, if hiring a friend is something you're into, go for it!
But please remember, you are worth more than a person that has to pay for companionship. And always practice safe friend renting!