Rent-a-friend industry booms among Chinese diaspora

Beijia Ge, a resident of Kingston, Ont., has a unique job where her duties change on an hourly basis. From chatting with Chinese students about their secrets and challenges, to helping someone pack a suitcase, to baking cakes with a senior citizen, Ge’s work is diverse and fulfilling. She advertises her services on social media in Chinese, offering to be there for people who may be lonely on their birthdays, sick and in need of company, or simply looking for a friend to spend time with.

The companionship industry is growing among the Chinese diaspora in Canada, with dozens of people offering rent-a-friend services on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu. Ge charges about $20 an hour for her services, which are not professional therapy but offer a safe space for clients to open up and share their vulnerabilities. She has found that many clients feel a sense of relief and release stress by venting out their negative thoughts to her.

Qian Liu, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Calgary, explains that the companionship economy is emerging in response to feelings of isolation and loneliness among some new immigrants. The high living costs in Canadian cities and the social stigma attached to mental health in East Asia also play a role in the popularity of paid companionship services among Chinese immigrants.

Carolina Hu, another provider of companionship services, helps Chinese-speaking newcomers explore Richmond and Vancouver to help them feel more at home in Canada. She charges about $40 per hour and offers a listening ear and a sense of belonging to those who may feel lost in a new country. Many immigrants struggle with feelings of emptiness and loneliness after moving to a new country, and companionship services can help bridge the gap between their old lives and their new ones.

David Li, a newcomer to the companionship industry, offers hiking companionship services to help people explore nature and improve their mental health. He believes that spending time outdoors with like-minded people can be uplifting and therapeutic. As the companionship industry grows, safety concerns and other issues are emerging, with providers taking precautions to ensure their security and well-being.

Overall, the companionship industry is meeting diverse needs within the Chinese diaspora community in Canada, but experts suggest that more support programs for immigrants are needed to address issues of loneliness and isolation. While paid companionship services can provide temporary relief, long-term solutions involve creating a sense of community and belonging for newcomers in Canadian society. Ge, who has spent hundreds of hours providing companionship, will soon be putting her business on hold to spend time with her own grandmother in China, highlighting the importance of family and connection in a world where loneliness is all too common.