"For a fee of 500 rubles, I'll be your hourly companion"

Article:

500 Rubles for an Hour of Compassionate Listening: Who's Paying for a Friend and Why

Photo: Shutterstock

A sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on, or simply someone to chat with — these desires can be met with "friendly companionship" services for a fee. A "Komsomolka" journalist decided to give it a try.

Playing the Role of a Friend for Hire

Ads for these services often proclaim, "Open a window into human warmth, have a friend for an hour without any obligations." Most of these ads are posted by women, but there are a few from men too. Prices vary, with some charging up to 5,000 rubles, while others offer their services free or for any donation the client wishes to give.

I tossed my hat into the ring, setting a reasonable rate of 500 rubles per hour for text chat and 1,000 rubles for phone conversations. I decided against video calls, opting instead for honesty about myself: I work creatively and have the skill to speak to people from all walks of life. With this in mind, I published my ad late one evening and, to my surprise, received my first client within an hour.

A 38-year-old man reached out. Friendships formed through classified ads are always paid upfront, and the conversation is then moved to a messaging app. I hadn't anticipated collecting payment yet, as we hadn't even spoken for five minutes! Still, I assured him that payment would come later. Not surprisingly, he was relieved.

As our conversation progressed, it became clear that he wasn't seeking a romantic relationship. Instead, he asked personal questions and expressed a desire for companionship. When I revealed that I wasn't looking for a personal connection, he didn't seem to mind. Intriguingly, he also offered his services, hinting at a budding romance. That night, I decided I couldn't commit to becoming someone's friend for money. I informed my client that I was offering him a free bonus for being my first client, and we ended our correspondence around 2 a.m. But at 6 a.m., my new friend was still sending me kisses and asking me to continue our conversation immediately. Alas, I had to break the news that our dialogue was over.**

Dealing with a Wide Range of Requests

Early morning, the floodgates opened, with calls and messages pouring in. One man seemed fixated on women's legs and footwear, while another wanted me to help him with household chores. A pervert, a workaholic, and a robot cleaner. By noon, the conversation seekers had subsided, but they returned in full force by evening.

One individual asked to engage in a sports-related discussion with him, and I found myself conversing with a charming 18-year-old named Kolya (names have been changed for ethical reasons). Kolya's mother is a wrestler who suffers serious injuries and near-death experiences during her athletic pursuits. He wrote to me about the most recent occurrence, expressing his need for someone to talk to. We went over the details of the accident and first aid, linking him to relevant resources. Throughout our two-and-a-half-hour conversation, he questioned me repeatedly, as if seeking someone to blame.**

Despite Kolya's demanding nature, he agreed to end our conversation for the night and requested to speak again the next day. But, to my surprise, the following morning he deleted our entire chat and vanished without a trace.

In just two days, nearly 400 people had viewed my ad, with around 20 reaching out. Only men contacted me, not a single woman was interested in becoming someone’s friend for money.

Encountering Colleagues in the Field

Curious to explore the role of a "paid companion," I ventured to reach out to other service providers. I chose Irina, who freely offers her services but encourages clients to make donations. A social educator by profession, Irina has a background in psychology and runs a classroom. She decided to lend her ear to people going through tough times.

Within five days, around 50 people wrote to me, approximately 30 of whom were either anxious or seeking sex. They asked, "How much do you charge per hour?", "Let's meet for 5,000 rubles", or "Let's have a video call with my friend." Around 10 were simply looking for a woman to go out with. Irina, with a husband and child, isn't interested in such encounters. She found our conversations enjoyable and pleasant.**

According to her, most of the men who wrote to her had alcohol or drug addictions. Their primary concerns were loneliness and the desire to have someone to share their troubles with. Irina noticed another demographic: migrants. They reached out, asked for personal details, and solicited social media information.

A few even expressed interest in meeting her, but Irina declined. Some might have intended to exploit her for registration and marriage, though she never went through with any meetings. And then there was a self-proclaimed extremist who wrote to her on Easter, expressing his disdain for the Orthodox and their churchgoing practices.**

Irina admitted that she'd remove her ad once her subscription expired.

"I'm happy to provide emotional support to people in need, but the requests for kegs of beer and countless sexual advances are beyond my capabilities. That's psychiatry, not my field," she notes.

I also called male service providers. I selected Ivan, with a reasonable rate of 350 rubles per hour. Ivan, a handsome man with a generously generated AI photo, is bombarded with messages from women of all ages, from 18 to 70. He's 35 himself and has offered this service for two years. He maintains a steady stream of regular clients who call him just to chat.**

"A woman might write and confide in me something she can't share with her friends, or people might simply vent their frustrations. I can discuss, share my thoughts, and suggest alternatives if they ask. But we always end the conversation on a positive note," says Ivan.

Photo: Shutterstock.

"So, what do you do for a living, if not psychology?"

"I'm a tire fitter," Ivan chuckles. Surprisingly, he was offered the opportunity to post someone else's ad on his page for money. "Don't get involved in that," he warned me. "They'll use you as a mule to launder money or steal accounts — and you might find yourself embroiled in a legal mess."

...I deleted my ad on the third day, and it felt as if a weight had been lifted off my chest. After all, real friendship can't be bought for any amount of money!

Professional Insight

"It's easier to share your deepest secrets with a stranger"

The popularity of these services can be attributed to the phenomenon of social psychology, where individuals feel freer to disclose their innermost thoughts and problems to a stranger, seeking temporary relief. Clinical psychologist and lecturer at the Department of Age Psychology named after Prof. L.F. Obuhov, MGPU, Yevgeniya Ivanova, explained this principle to "Komsomolskaya Pravda".

"Friends for an hour" capitalize on this concept by creating the illusion of friendship, with the expectation of mutual responsibility and care. However, this illusion is temporary, similar to consuming painkillers to alleviate symptoms rather than addressing the root cause.**

The expert emphasized the importance of following safe communication guidelines.

If you genuinely need a friend for platonic conversation, consider their photo (it should be appropriate), their interest in getting to know you, and their willingness to respect boundaries. If something seems amiss, politely conclude the conversation.**

Incidentally, the "stranger-on-a-train" effect (discussing personal matters with strangers to seek temporary relief) can also apply when contacting psychological hotlines, offering a free alternative to "friends for an hour" services.

Enrichment Data:

Overall:"Friends for an hour" services go by different names: rent-a-companion, paid platonic company, or simply paid companionship. These services cater to a growing market in Russia and worldwide, offering emotional support, companionship, or even just someone to talk to.

Cost of "Friend for an Hour" Services in Russia

Typical Range: 500-3000 RUB (about $5-30 USD) per hour, depending on the service (text, phone, in-person), the provider, and the location (Moscow/St. Petersburg are more expensive).
Providers: These services can be found on dedicated websites, social media platforms (like VK or Telegram groups), or through agencies.
Extras: Additional costs may apply for activities (dining out, attending events, or travel).

Common Users of These Services

Expats & Foreigners: Those new to Russia, especially expats or tourists, use these services for language practice, cultural immersion, or friendship.
Lonely or Isolated Individuals: Elderly people, those who have moved cities, or those suffering from social anxiety or grief can find comfort in these paid friendships, avoiding romantic entanglements.
Event Attendees: Those needing a "plus-one" for events, parties, or social gatherings where they feel uncomfortable going alone.
Business Clients: Sometimes, visitors or professionals hire companions for networking, cultural outings, or to make business trips more pleasant.
Young Professionals: Especially in large cities, young professionals may seek someone to talk to, unwind with, or explore the city during free time.

Summary Table

| User Type | Typical Reason for Service Use | Approximate Cost (per hour) ||-------------------------|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|| Expat/Tourist | Connection, culture, companionship | 500-2500 RUB (Petersburg) || Lonely/Isolated Person | Emotional support, friendship | 500-2000 RUB (PNW) || Event Attendee | "Plus One" for social events | 700-3000 RUB (St.Petersburg) || Business Client | Networking, cultural outings | 1500-3000 RUB (Moscow) || Young Professional | Casual companionship, city tours | 700-2500 RUB (Moscow) |

Final Notes

Legality: Legal as long as the service is platonic without any romantic or sexual expectations.
Popularity: More popular in major cities, though available in smaller towns and rural areas as well.
Trends: Demand is increasing due to urbanization, loneliness, and the gig economy.

If you’d like links to specific Russian platforms offering these services, let me know!

The article delves into the realm of paid emotional support services, with one individual offering 'compassionate listening' for a fee. This service is often marketed as a way to find human warmth without obligations.
As the journalist experimented with offering her services, she encountered a wide range of individuals seeking companionship, from those needing someone to talk about personal matters to others with peculiar or inappropriate interests.
In her encounters with fellow service providers, the journalist discovered that many of their clients were dealing with deeper issues such as loneliness, addiction, or mental health struggles, seeking temporary relief from a paid friend rather than addressing the root causes of their problems.