Slate Advice Columnist Cautions Against Hiring a Sex Worker As a Surprise Birthday Gift for a Depressed Friend

The columnist, responding in the "How to Do It" sex advice column, said such a surprise is generally not socially acceptable, probably not acceptable for the worker, and unlikely to be acceptable for the friend. The advice suggests an open conversation about the friend's preferences, warning that the gesture could compound negative self-worth. Alternatives include hiring a dating consultant, a dating coach, or a therapist to help the friend work through emotional pain from the divorce. The columnist also noted that surprising someone with a potential sexual partner is risky, even if the friend has floated the idea of hiring a pro himself.