It was only a matter of time before someone thought of imaginary relationships to fill in for an absent real one or perhaps even escape from reality without the feelings of guilt. This defies categorization - it is not even a virtual relationship where both parties are mentally engaged to each other. Technically this could not even be called infidelity. Amy Sedaris and her twelve year relationship in imagination may have well catalyzed the business for imaginary girlfriends.
The fine line between real and unreal could get very blurred with there being real women behind scenes who will be in pretend-love with their real clients. This deal can get more complicated than owning a virtual pet that was the rage some years ago.
Out of Availability is described as " Girlfriends in this category are booked to capacity and cannot accept new orders at this time." Overbooked as in how many pretend-personas she can divide herself into until she is saturated ? I wonder how capacity is determined.
That the service plan should include "When your time is up you can break up with her for whatever reason you decide, and she'll write you a final letter begging you to take her back" speaks volumes for why they are in business to begin with.
Apparently there is not quite the equivalent market for imaginary boyfriends. With popular stereotypes about women fundamentally wanting a home and family with a Mr. Nice that is not so surprising. This may be a niche opportunity that could end up tapping hidden demand obscured by myth and stereotype.
8 comments:
LOL...that was bizarre...
Bizarre indeed, but maybe this has a purpose....ideal for the commitmentphobic man - he gets what he wants, and nobody gets hurt. Also ideal for men with low confidence level, until they can work up confidence for a real relationship.
Kind of a sad state of escapism, though.
Priya.
I second Iblu! and also second Buck!!
second is sometimes better than first!! :P
Priya - Could not agree more with your take on that. Multiple personality disorders may just become very common as more and more people try to escape this way.
I guess with the online world-its becoming easier and easier to fall into alter-identities. While self automatically assumes peppy, funnycide, etc are healthy outlets [stop the sniggerin will ya?] it could potentially turn rather dangerous. Interestingly, i find that online dating/matchfinder subscribers/users to be the best examples of how online relationships can give the impression of this idealist-personality that they might find suitable, fairly removed from the reality of real relationships.
err...what next?? pretend babies..pretend houses...pretend bills deffy sounds good.
And I thought I was just plain old nuts coz I imagine so many things....but Lollz, there is a whole new business opportunity out there??
Chay - you have my vote for pretend bills. That should be a best-seller !
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