ONLINE anger-release services have become extremely popular with young netizens in China, with staff paid to listen to complaints or secrets, and even absorb scoldings from customers.

"I was inspired by my female friends who like to confide (in me) their troubles about family, study and work.

I prefer to call my store a 'recycling station' for pressure and annoyances," said Ms Wang Ping, owner of such a service, usually called a "store".

Over 400 online vendors offer anger-release services, going by a keyword search on Taobao, the major domestic online market.

A service typically offers a customer the chance to unload his complaints on a staff member within a limited period without boundaries.

Cuss words are acceptable.

Customers pay with a debit or credit card and store owners guarantee anonymity. Stores offer a price list categorised either by time or requirements.

Normally, it costs about 1 yuan (S$0.20) for a 10-minute slot.

Customer Guo Qing, a 20-year-old second-year university student from Guangzhou, said she preferred telling strangers about her troubles.

"I'm scared to tell my anxieties to my good friends as there is a possibility that they would use that against me in the future," she said.

Trying out a store, she expressed frustrations about her stressful university life to the store owner, who offered suggestions for improvement. She said she would use the service again.

Ms Wang said most clients are born after 1980. Said Mr Lang Lihan, 25, a white-collar worker: "I think it is a good way for me to express my anger and frustration.

"Sometimes, my supervisor blames me for trifles and I cannot lose my temper easily in front of a girlfriend or close friends."

CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

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