Digital Desk, exposed. If someone tells you that like house, car, clothes etc., you can now book a boyfriend on rent, it will sound strange and you might even burst out laughing. But these days a new trend is rapidly gaining popularity on social media, which is called ‘Rental Boyfriend’. It is being claimed that its demand is increasing in many big cities including Delhi-NCR. According to reports, now some platforms and social media pages, calling themselves companion services, claim to provide people with a companion for a few hours. Here people can book a companion to watch a movie, go shopping, have coffee, accompany them to a wedding or event, or even to accompany them to the hospital.
Not a romance or dating boyfriend service
However, let us also tell you that these platforms have some rules and regulations of their own. Actually, through this rental boyfriend, you do not get the service of dating or romantic relationship, rather if you want to go to watch a movie but are hesitant to go alone, then you can book a boyfriend on rent for a few hours. Similarly, you can book a friend, boyfriend or companion for a few hours for a coffee date, shopping, event partner and even for going to the hospital. This means that in this, meetings take place in public places and any activity like physical relationship is not allowed.
Where did this unique trend originate and why was it needed?
Let us tell you that this trend started in Japan where due to loneliness and busy lifestyle, people started needing a companion like a friend or event partner, due to which the Japanese started taking services like rental boyfriend. This gave it the name of rental girlfriend and rental boyfriend and then this trend gradually took the form of a business.
Initially this service was limited to Japan but gradually social media spread it all over the world. In India too, some Facebook groups, Instagram pages and websites are claiming to provide such services. In some places, it is claimed that up to two thousand rupees per hour is being charged for movie or shopping.
Many young people are also considering it a means of additional income. But caution is essential with this trend. Before using any online service, it’s essential to verify its reliability, security rules, and identity. When meeting a stranger, always choose a public place and prioritize your own safety. This raises the question: Is “rental boyfriend” just a new social media trend, or a new manifestation of growing loneliness in big cities?