I have never understood the rationale for paying someone to chitchat with you. If I feel like talking to new people, there are so many avenues for doing so without spending a penny (except maybe paying for a drink or meal). My experience living in Japan , however, tells me that it is the norm in Japan. I have visited so many bars in Tokyo and Osaka with my ex-colleagues and friends where not only did you pay for your drinks, you also spent a fortune on a companion who does nothing more than pour drinks, giggle at your stupid jokes, and try to make you feel important. While geisha is supposedly an artist (neither a hostess nor a prostitute, though she can become a mistress in some cases), her more important role is to make a man feel what he aspires to be and what his wife may not find credible. For these reasons and to understand the world of geishas in Japan, the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha" is a must watch. It might seem like a documentary on the life of a geisha, but
Tips from a freelancer consultant for the benefit of other gig economy and self-employed workers and contractors.