Agreed, even I don't know how much I will need to open a channel and to ask a friend to do so. Let's give LN some more time. I'm sure these small things will go on automatic and then it will be easier to understand.
You don't have to know much to start using LN already. The easiest way (not the safest) is to use a custodial wallet.
For example:
bluewallet.io (iOS and Android apps)
You top it up with a small amount of Bitcoin and can immediately send and receive lightning payments.
By default it uses a third party LND installation, meaning it's already capable of sending/receiving payments because it's well connected.
You can set it up to use your own LND hub instead.
There's also
Bitcoin Lightning Wallet for Android which is quite good.
Give these apps a go (using small amounts of Bitcoin). That's how you get the ball rolling. It won't get rolling if everyone just sits there hoping for the thing to resolve itself on its own.
HTH