Unique Client Requests for 'Friend for Hire' Service in Yogyakarta: Seeking Tarot Readers
Operating as a ‘friend for hire’ service provider in Yogyakarta, Gita Ayu Chrissiana (28) encounters a wide variety of characters and client needs. Beyond merely accompanying tourists around the city, she has received unusual requests ranging from finding boarding houses to accompanying clients to meet paranormal practitioners.
Gita shared that one of her most unique experiences occurred when a client requested her company to find someone capable of reading tarot cards. “At that time, there were no events happening, so we couldn’t find anyone. Eventually, I tried seeking information from parking attendants, who ended up directing us to a ‘clever person’ (spiritual practitioner),” Gita told detikJogja on Monday (8/6/2026).
Initially, she assumed the client simply wanted a standard consultation. However, upon arriving at the location, Gita discovered the true reason. “I only found out once we were there. It turns out the guest shared that for several years, they had felt disturbed and wanted to find a solution or a way to ward off the disturbance,” she explained.
As the conversation was conducted in Javanese, Gita was also asked to assist by translating the explanations into Indonesian for the client.
While this remains her most memorable experience, such requests are relatively rare. According to Gita, most clients use her services for much simpler needs. “Sometimes people ask to be accompanied to find boarding houses, shop for souvenirs, go to the mall, or simply hang out. Essentially, any activity that requires companionship,” she said.
Having launched her service in early 202ng, Gita notes that every client arrives with different requirements, meaning her work extends far beyond accompanying tourists on holidays. Another unique experience involved assisting a medical student conducting thesis research in Bantul. “A student asked me to accompany them to the homes of postpartum respondents to distribute questionnaires. I helped ask permission from residents and enquire about addresses using Javanese,” she explained.
Gita believes that the ‘friend for hire’ service is not solely about sightseeing. Many clients require assistance because they have arrived in Yogyakarta alone and are unfamiliar with the local environment. The majority of her customers are from outside the region, many of whom are solo travellers looking for companionship during their stay in the ‘City of Students’.
In addition to accompanying various activities, Gita is frequently asked to act as an impromptu photographer when clients visit various tourist destinations in Yogyakarta. For her, every request brings a new story and experience. “Of all those experiences, the most unique was accompanying a guest to find a spiritual practitioner. I certainly didn’t expect it to go that far,” she added with a laugh.