Renting Friends: The Cynical Solution to Loneliness

Have you ever rented a friend ? Or borrowed one? Know that there are millions of people around the world, and not just the elderly, who pay for simple company . Seeing a movie. Eating together. Having a conversation. Going to an exhibition.

Index of topics

FRIENDS FOR RENT

The loneliness economy has emerged around a new demand for relationships, increasingly challenging partly due to the pandemic . You pay a price, like taking a taxi, and you're no longer alone. An example? The global success of the American site Rent a Friend , which offers the company of one of its more than 600 friends in any country in the world.

LONELINESS ECONOMY

Simply indicate the city where the request is coming from and you'll receive a list of friends available for the service. However, you must first pay a membership fee to this sort of club of $25 per month and be prepared to pay an hourly rate between $10 and $50.

FRIENDS FOR RENT

The economy of loneliness , like all businesses born from the demand of new, potential consumers, is a rather ephemeral and, if you like, cynical response to a real problem. The latest numbers are shocking . In Italy, where we have always been accustomed to human relationships, 48 percent of those surveyed feel isolated, very often and occasionally (an Ipsos survey ). This means that nearly half the population must deal with the dark evil of loneliness. It's a disease that has a significant impact on health.

RENT A FRIEND

Stress, anxiety, and the risk of depression and cardiovascular problems are increasing. In concrete terms, the impact of loneliness on our physical body is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. And unfortunately, the pandemic has only accelerated the phenomenon, already exploded with the boom in technology , the monster capable of distancing us from others and pushing us into the quicksand of loneliness. Or relationships experienced and consummated solely on the virtual shore.

ECONOMY OF SOLITUDE

To combat loneliness, we should learn to employ other means, other resources , rather than wasting time with friends for hire. In a vulgar sense, these latter closely resemble men's recourse to escorts to escape the effort of courting a woman, of confronting her strengths and weaknesses, of measuring themselves against her qualities. A surrender under the reassuring banner of money and responsibility-free payment.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT LONELINESS

Less alone, for example, means not missing any approachable gesture when someone, even instinctively, exudes empathy. Let's give in to our curiosity to delve deeper, let ourselves go, and woo them, to discover them thoroughly. Without asking too many questions about where this exploration will lead: the important thing is to begin the journey.

WHAT ARE FRIENDS FOR?

Loneliness is prevented by generosity . The more we give, the more we receive. It's a natural law. And never mind if we sometimes have to deal with bitter disappointments. They're part of the game. Generosity is being open to differences, even when our instinct would lead us to close doors and windows. It's giving unconditionally, with family, with friends, even at the bar when we pop in for a coffee and greet people with a simple good morning and good evening.

Finally, loneliness is countered by the little things . The small, everyday gestures. Can't see someone because of lockdown? Reach out by phone, not just electronically. Talk to them, without standing around with your watch in your hand waiting for time to run out. Listen to the voices of others , don't be a solipsist, don't barricade yourself in the false certainties of narcissism. And you'll see that friends won't leave you alone, and you won't need to look for new ones to rent.

PARADIGMS FOR LOVING AND BEING LOVED:

Want to see a selection of our news?

Sign up to our newsletter clicking here;
We are also up Google News , activate the star to add us to your favorite sources;
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram e Pinterest.