Virtual wife, offensive or a brilliant idea?

Question

On ACA(A Current Affair, Australia) a few nights ago there was a segment about a professional man who was looking for a virtual wife, a woman to do his household chores, cook his dinner and help organise his appointments, etc.

http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=573781&_cobr=optus

And there's also a site now where men can advertise for a virtual wife.

http://www.virtualwife.com.au/

Thoughts?

Answer 1

It's far too pathetic to be either.

It's called having a personal assistant... people have had them for a long time...

Answer 2

here in america we call that a personal assistant lol. Now if s*x comes along with the deal that's called prostitution

Answer 3

I believe thats called a housekeeper.

Thanks anyway.

Answer 4

That is an excellent idea.  That way they do not have to contend with anything else marriage entails, nor will they have to deal with clever conversation, love, real affection, and caring.  Now all they need is one of those lifelike plastic dolls, for warmth and "companionship".

What he needs is a secretary.  I like having a good woman at my side, warts and all.

Answer 5

Hmmm, I just think it's a little sad myself...they must be pretty lonely...it's a little ignorant of him to call it a 'virtual wife', as women don't have such restrictive roles anymore, why didn't he just as for a 'virtual housewife'? But then that means a man could not have the job which goes against one of the European directives on employment I think...but I suppose it's not harming anyone is it? So I'm not really offended at all :)

Why not just get a P.A. though?

Answer 6

Brilliant if his intention was to get free exposure from the media , his site is a hit now , also notice he is offering the service to other men who just like him need such a wife..

offensive to woman yess its but that how he got people to look at his site and talk about him for the next couples of weeks

smart idea he leverage the media ...

Answer 7

i can see busy women using this service...

Answer 8

Should be virtual assistant, housekeeper, etc. not wife.

OFFENSIVE

Answer 9

This is a good idea, a good pa is worth their weight in gold.

I've an arrangement with another single person, and it's working very well imo. she does office and appointments, is fierce when need be, washes my clothes, cooks. I will say, help her move house, paint the new place, fix the plumbing etc.

It's everything a good male/female team should be without the labels and strings.

Answer 10

Offensive is subjective. About anything can be offensive to somone.

Answer 11

Its a brilliant idea, but a lousy name.  For the name alone, people will take offense.  But there is nothing wrong with someone who wants to hire a housekeeper and cook, and someone to organize his/her life somewhat.  We just need to provide it with a more professional name...

Answer 12

Not sure that wife was the most sensitive description, but there are plenty of men and women who need some assistance with stuff.

I've been running a lifestyle management business for some years now, which is exactly what Cameron (the man who placed the ad) needs. A lifestyle manager specialises in getting things done for clients who don't have time or just don't want to do it themselves. Everything from errands to moving house, and anything else you can think of.

Its a new industry in Australia but growing rapidly. I'm Secretary of the Australia+New Zealand Chapter of the International Concierge & Errand Association, so see first hand the number of new businesses starting up.

Answer 13

Virtual wife or virtual personal assistant?

Answer 14

I think it's a good idea, it's like having a housekeeper but they have more responsibility, I bet it costs more than a normal wife would though. The name is a bit stupid though, life assistant or something gives it a more respectable sounding name.

Answer 15

MARRAGE IS A EMOTIONAL RELATION AND NOT AN AGREEMENT

Answer 16

There are a lot of internet sites now offering these kind of personal assistant services. I read an article at the gym in a men's magazine that was about how to make extra income working as a virtual consierge. Calling the service a "virtual wife" is just a marketing slogan. There is a big handyman/home improvement comapny called "Rent a Husband." Is that offensive?

Certainly the idea that wives are little more than personal servants is offensive. It doesn't describe my own marriage, though, or most of the couples I socialize with or know from work. I suppose I can see the intellectual justification for being offended, but I don't see how anybody could consider it worth the emotional energy.

Answer 17

If they are both happy with the arrangement, then who else has the right to interfere?

Answer 18

I had a virtual step daughter on AOL AIM chat for years.  I live in India and this girl lived in USA.

I also expressed my wish to have someone online and role play real husband and wife.