The Contrasts in Eastern & Western Seller Profiles
Average reading time: 6-7 Minutes
An Interest in Demographics
(Disclaimer: This article is a generalization of companion service descriptions I've come across on Fiverr.com & Epal.gg in 2021.)
Over the course of many interviews within the companion sales market, I came across an interesting set of notable differences between Eastern and Western sellers.
In casual conversation with friends last year, I remember taking note of how companionship sellers originating from Eastern regions tended to spin their initial pitch and justification for their services differently than their Western counterparts.
An example of a seller's service description, pulled from Fiverr
There was a distinct difference in the way Eastern companionship sellers portrayed themselves in the online world. Eastern descriptions for companionship services were varied and many held a degree of introspection and emotional nuance. Western profiles, by contrast, had a much more “in your face” style of writing; comfortable playing around with the threads of deceit & marketing tactics more openly.
It made me question if companionship sellers from different sides of the world held different perceptions of this kind of service. Perhaps they held different intentions behind the practice of offering their time up for money altogether? Things can be viewed with quite a different lens in other cultures. What some might considering blatant cheating in a sport, another might see that same action as just another tool or means to employ – and does not view it as cheating or underhanded.
So I figured it might be reasonably pertinent to begin logging commonalities between service descriptions and seller profiles from different regions of the globe.
Below is a synopsis of some of that. At the bottom of this page, I've also linked a supplemental list of advertisement styles from real seller profiles, which range in location from the United States to Nigeria.
A Difference in Presentation
I began by isolating a couple of demographic regions which seemed to hold the most unique differences in profile variation:
North America, EU/UK, the Philippines and Nigeria were of particular interest for me; as it was profiles from the Philippines which sparked my intrigue in the first place. I had noticed that profiles from Philippines had a tendency to speak impassioned on the importance of providing a service for someone who might be in need. The following two snips are from profiles based in the Philippines, and they hold common sentiments which I found across a number of profiles from Eastern countries:
“I believe it is a duty of mine to provide people with my time, a listening ear and an open heart.”
“I am an independent mother who is struggling myself here in the Philippines, but I wish to be the kind of mother you might never have had – to be there listening for you, and giving my own advice from my own experiences.”
By comparison, the majority of profile descriptions from Western sellers seemed to hold a much higher chance of coming across as rather flat, mechanical, manipulative. It was much easier to tell when Western sellers were obviously exaggerating or attempting to mislead a potential buyer. They often used overly bombastic phrasing, excessive capitalization or bold statements such as: “I'll be the Best Friend and Conversational Partner You've NEVER Had!”, whilst selling packages of 30 minutes of talk time for $40...
“There is a New Way to Be Loved! If you are looking for someone to be your virtual bestie, I'm YOUR girl.
And You Know What else? I am petite and outgoing, with an amazing personality! My “Best Friend Package” sits at $150 for 60 minutes, where we'll chat and get to know one another better! <3 <3"
American profiles, for example, rarely gave reasons for why they were providing services. When they did, they often made mention of student debt they had, or requiring a second/third income.
Many repeated generic taglines such as: “Sometimes, life gets hard! Sometimes you feel lonely and sad! That's okay! You can reach out for help!”. They'd repeat these kinds of lines two or three times per service description; turning it into what felt like a very coaxing affair. It seemed as if the buyer's loneliness was something for them to reaffirm or capitalize on. “Its OKAY to reach out!” ... says the complete stranger asking $200 for you to do so.
Bear in mind, of course, that any of these descriptions could just as easily be attempts at “pulling on the heart strings” of individuals desperate for a deeper connection. Its simply the contrasts in conveyance and focus which are notable nonetheless.
Bulletpoints
- Profiles in Western countries tended more towards coercion of the buyer – either through marketing manipulation tactics like the fear of missing out, egotistical rhetoric or fantastical claims about the seller's ability to be “the perfect friend”; with many insisting that “you needed it” (their service). Many profiles made by women also sided with a greater focus on the seller's appearance: with very sensual photos being used when compared with profiles from other locations
Profiles from Eastern countries, of course, could also contain a mix of some or all the above. But more often than not, when the online market was new and booming:
Profiles in Eastern countries tended towards using more emotionally-charged language; sometimes with references to the importance of mental health, self-expression, or finding companionship in others. Some were even approaching it with the view that it is a human right to provide such openness to others, and to make the world a more expressed place internationally. A good sentiment, though kind of self-defeatist since they're still charging people for it...
In addition, many Eastern profiles gave detailed information as to where the money was going, and what they'd be doing with it to support themselves afterwards. A few were even putting a price tag on their service simply to be in the presence of a “high-traffic website” and then refund the money later. Others were stay-at-homes attempting to make ends meet, while trying to help others in any way they could during the pandemic.
Even now, these qualities remain largely unchanged. And, speaking of the pandemic:
- Many profiles from Eastern regions also tended to make mention of the severity and the pandemic was having on their daily lives; noting the toll it was taking on their peoples' sanity and hearts. The pandemic was peppered very sparsely within Western profiles by comparison.
As a lot of western profiles were quick to use flowery words or boastful claims, many made quite a lot of money during 2020 and 2021; especially on the companion service I'll be talking about in my next article. As this happened, I began to see more companions from eastern regions mimic the presentation of profiles from the United States or EU. Profiles from eastern regions began mimicking the sensualized profile pictures that westerners were uploading, and began incorporating more corporate speech into their own service descriptions – in an attempt to catch lightning in a bottle in terms of quick cash.
However, perhaps those whom I perceived as “mimicking” were just late to the party, and would have done it anyways without outside influence. But even now, the tameness of profiles from countries outside of the western world is readily apparent.
It's Important to Note...
I feel its important to point out that both Eastern and Western profiles could have a mix of both positive and negative attitudes. There isn't some clear-cut line upon the Earth where the service descriptions suddenly become extremely corporate or entirely heartfelt. Some profiles were equally conniving and just out for money, as others seemed focused on providing a form of emotional support whilst trying to support themselves. I'm not here trying to say that all easterners were all selfless, or that all westerners were remorseless bankers.
The differences in presentation merely got me questioning what difference in perspectives may be present between people of different regions of the world. Of what underlying similarities could be found amongst them, in the attempt at better understanding the commodification of human companionship.
Because on both sides of the globe, many sellers made similar claims: “I will be your close friend and good listener” – but nowhere in their clause or description would they offer any guarantee that they would even care to think about you after their time with you was up. And regardless of intent, it was striking to see some of the descriptions that were posted for potential buyers to see.
Below is a link to more descriptions just like that; of real service descriptions from sellers, meant to entice potential clients into choosing them as their “new friend for hire”. Feel free to read through them at your leisure.
* Standout Advertisement Styles for Companionship Services