This made me laugh. A man sells his "do nothing" services and people pat him on the back for it. He says, "When someone is trying to do something, I think the best thing to do is to help lower the bar for them." I don't think a woman would receive the same accolades for this. What do you think?

West-Cook · 2021-01-16T20:24:47+00:00

I don’t feel like the translation “do nothing” really accurately describes what he’s doing... reading the article, it sounds like what he’s selling is literally just being moral support or a plus one. Some examples given are a client who doesn’t find any motivation to go for a walk unless they have someone with them, so he shows up and they go for a walk. Or if you need 4 people for a reservation but only have 3, for example.

It’s likely a cultural thing... cultures like Japan where community is everything, having someone just being there and showing up for motivational support is a big deal. The increasing isolation of Japan’s culture due to westernization and also covid really conflicts with that community oriented culture, and I think what he’s making bank on is filling that gap. I’m not sure if I’m conveying my thoughts accurately... my family comes from a similar culture, and my parents literally will not do anything without someone else knowing or being by their side or anything.

When he says “the best thing to do is help lower the bar for them”, he’s referring to the barrier of entry feeling less insurmountable when you have a buddy... not the bar for your standards.

That said, I agree that this is very much an industry that would not work for a woman, as i still feel like people expect women to look good and do more in stead of just chilling or hanging out.

trettles · 2021-01-16T20:07:25+00:00

Why would you pay a man to do nothing? Most will do that for free.

If a woman offered the same services, she would no doubt just be an escort or sex object, even if no sex was involved.

carlther · 2021-01-16T20:53:31+00:00

I think that it's more sad that it's so difficult to form actual deep connections with people in this society that they have to resort to pretending. Everyone has to be on the defensive because so many people are users and manipulators. Loneliness is epidemic.

GoldandGlowing · 2021-01-16T20:00:22+00:00

Of course not. Women are expected to be mules. Especially black women; even not being the breadwinner and house maker is side eye worthy 🙄

Espionagess · 2021-01-16T23:28:25+00:00

This highlights the different worlds men and women live in. A woman wouldn't be able to provide this service, scrotes would try to be rapey.

heroic_nincompoop · 2021-01-16T23:26:04+00:00

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IdealMiserable6522 · 2021-01-16T19:58:10+00:00

I don't think a woman would be recognized the same way, but it still makes me feel icky to bash on someone trying to offer a service that helps people feel better.