“How would you like to get paid to hang out with someone? To go to dinner, take a class, go shopping, to a sporting event — in essence, doing all the things you normally do with your friends, and also have someone else pick up the tab? If this sounds like some too-good-to-be-true Internet scam, it’s not” (Mandell, 2010). This is the premise behind the website service: Rent-a-Friend!

• QUESTION

• “How would you like to get paid to hang out with someone? To go to dinner, take a class, go shopping, to a sporting event — in essence, doing all the things you normally do with your friends, and also have someone else pick up the tab? If this sounds like some too-good-to-be-true Internet scam, it’s not” (Mandell, 2010). This is the premise behind the website service: Rent-a-Friend!

• • Read Mandell’s article here http://www.aol.com/article/2010/10/21/how-to-make-money-rent-a-friend/19675000/ and check out the Rent-a-Friend website here http://rentafriend.com/
  • After reading the above article and looking at the above website answer the following questions in your discussion post:

1.) How closely do you believe the friendship provided by this service aligns with the definition of friendship provided in this chapter, “friendships are voluntary, platonic relationships characterized by equality and reciprocity” (Verderber & MacGeorge, 2015)?

2.) Do you believe this service provides true friendship? Would you ever use this service? Why or why not?

3.) Could a “Rent-a-Friend” friendship provide the renter with important characteristics of friendship like intimacy, responsiveness, self-disclosure, emotional support, etc.? Why or why not?

 Readings/Video:

• Chapter 12 (Textbook)
  • Chapter 12 PowerPoint (under Content- Chapter 12)
• Video: Attachment Theory and its Effects on Adult Relationships (under Content- Chapter 12)

ANSWER

 Exploring “Rent-a-Friend”: Examining Friendship Characteristics and the Renting Experience

Introduction

In the digital age, innovative platforms have emerged to offer unique services and experiences. “Rent-a-Friend” is one such service that allows individuals to pay for companionship and shared activities. This discussion post will analyze the concept of “Rent-a-Friend” by examining its alignment with the definition of friendship, assessing its ability to provide genuine friendship, and considering whether it can offer important characteristics of friendship.

Alignment with the Definition of Friendship

Verderber and MacGeorge (2015) state that friendships are voluntary, platonic relationships characterized by equality and reciprocity (Wrench, n.d.). When considering the “Rent-a-Friend” service, it becomes evident that the friendship provided may not entirely align with this definition. The fundamental nature of the service involves financial transactions, which can introduce an element of inequality and potentially compromise the voluntary nature of friendships. While the service facilitates companionship and shared experiences, it is important to acknowledge the inherent asymmetry created by the financial arrangement.

Providing True Friendship

Determining whether the “Rent-a-Friend” service provides true friendship is subjective and dependent on individual perspectives (Samurai, 2023). It is essential to recognize that the service primarily offers paid companionship rather than organic, long-lasting friendships that develop naturally over time. While interactions within the context of “Rent-a-Friend” may simulate certain aspects of friendship, such as shared activities and conversations, the underlying motivations and dynamics differ significantly from those of genuine friendships. 

Personal decision-making regarding the use of this service will vary. Some individuals may consider it as a convenient option for companionship, especially in situations where they may lack social connections or desire specific experiences. Others may find the notion of paid friendships disingenuous and prefer to invest time and effort in cultivating authentic, reciprocal relationships.

Characteristics of Friendship

While a “Rent-a-Friend” arrangement may provide elements of friendship, it is unlikely to replicate the full range of important characteristics typically associated with genuine friendships. Characteristics such as intimacy, responsiveness, self-disclosure, and emotional support often emerge naturally within long-term friendships based on trust and mutual investment. In the context of a rented friendship, the limited duration and transactional nature may hinder the development of these crucial characteristics (Becoming a Therapist: What Do I Say, and Why?  1572308044, 1572309431, 9781572308046 – DOKUMEN.PUB, n.d.). The primary focus of a rented friendship is to provide companionship during specific activities, rather than fostering deeper emotional connections.

Conclusion

“Rent-a-Friend” offers a unique service that allows individuals to pay for companionship and shared experiences. However, the friendship provided through this service may not align closely with the definition of friendship as voluntary, platonic relationships characterized by equality and reciprocity. While it may offer temporary companionship, the absence of a natural, organic foundation may limit its ability to provide the important characteristics associated with genuine friendships, such as intimacy, responsiveness, self-disclosure, and emotional support. Whether one would consider using this service depends on personal preferences and values regarding the authenticity and nature of friendship.

References

Becoming a therapist: what do I say, and why?  1572308044, 1572309431, 9781572308046 – DOKUMEN.PUB. (n.d.). dokumen.pub. https://dokumen.pub/becoming-a-therapist-what-do-i-say-and-why-1572308044-1572309431-9781572308046.html 

Samurai, F. (2023). Why Households Need To Earn $300,000 A Year To Live A Middle Class Lifestyle Today. Financial Samurai. https://www.financialsamurai.com/living-a-middle-class-lifestyle-on-300000-year-expensive-city/ 

Wrench, J. S. (n.d.). Chapter 10: Friendship Relationships. Pressbooks. https://milnepublishing.geneseo.edu/interpersonalcommunication/chapter/10/