"Rent a friend" is a phrase built to make people uncomfortable. Paying someone to spend time with you sounds either sad or suspicious, and the only way to get past that is to answer the awkward questions directly.
"Isn't it weird to pay someone to be your friend?"
You're not paying for friendship. You're paying for someone's time and what they know: their city, their language, where they eat, what things cost.
People already do this constantly. You pay a guide to explain a museum, a tutor to teach you Spanish, a personal trainer to make you go to the gym. A Local Friend is the same arrangement, except what they're good at is being from a place. The word "friend" describes the tone: relaxed, personal, no script.
In Japan, where rental friends have been an established industry for years, this is barely a conversation any more. How Japan's rental friend industry works is a good read if you want the longer view.
"Isn't it a bit sad?"
The people who do it are mostly not lonely. They're:
- solo travellers who'd rather not eat alone every night
- first-timers abroad who want confidence
- cruise passengers with six hours in port
- couples and families who don't speak the language
Who rents a local friend goes through all eight groups. The common thread is a practical gap, not a social one.
"Is it a date? Is it an escort thing?"
No, and this matters. On Roavi, it's platonic and happens in public. Anything romantic or sexual breaks the rules and can be reported; profiles that hint at it are removed.
This is also the clearest test of any platform: a legitimate one says it's platonic plainly, on the first screen. One that's vague about it is telling you something. How to tell a legitimate platform from one that isn't.
"Is it safe?"
The same rules as meeting anyone from the internet, and they work:
- Meet in public, somewhere busy and easy to find
- Keep messages on the platform until you've met
- Check the profile: photos, reviews, the verification badge
- Tell someone where you're going and with whom
- Leave if anything feels off; you owe no one an explanation
"Won't it be awkward?"
For about ten minutes. Then you're walking somewhere, and there's a street to look at and food to order, which carries the conversation. What it's actually like, from first message to goodbye.
"What does it cost?"
Each Local Friend sets their own hourly rate, and it's on their profile before you message. How much it costs to rent a friend explains what affects the price and what to agree up front.
So, is it for you?
If you've ever wished you knew someone in the city you're going to, yes. Browse Local Friends and read a few profiles; that usually settles it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it weird to pay someone to be your friend?
You're paying for someone's time and local knowledge, like paying a guide, a tutor or a personal trainer. The 'friend' part describes the tone: relaxed and personal rather than scripted.Is renting a friend sad?
Most people who do it aren't lonely. They're travellers who don't speak the language, have a few hours in port, are travelling solo, or simply want the city the way locals see it.Is renting a friend a date or an escort service?
No. On Roavi it is platonic and happens in public. Anything romantic or sexual breaks the rules and can be reported, and profiles that suggest it are removed.Is it safe to rent a friend?
Follow ordinary rules: meet somewhere public, keep messages on the platform until you've met, check the profile and reviews, and tell someone your plans. Local Friends with a verification badge have completed an identity check.What will people think if I tell them?
Mostly: 'how did it go?' Framed as 'I hired a local to show me around', which is what it is, it tends to get curiosity rather than judgement.