In our book I Hate People!, we talk a lot about having strong emotions about people you work with and ways to work AROUND those people to minimize frustration and maximize production. But we didn't offer a whole lot of ways to blow off steam. Mainly because most people have their methods - sports, video games, martial arts, etc. And any of those solutions are probably pretty good. But in case they don't quite do the trick, take a cue from a new business that's gotten started in Dallas, Texas.
Here's a story on it from NBC Channel 9 in Colorado...
There's something therapeutic about smashing a TV with a baseball bat. Just ask the clients at the Anger Room in Dallas, Texas.
The Anger Room is a place where customers can smash, hit, throw or stomp everything from furniture to office equipment - all in the name of blowing off steam. The business is the brainchild of Donna Alexander.
She started the business in her garage four years ago but recently moved to a storefront. Alexander knows a few things about having a bad day at work. She once worked at a call center.
"Any type of call center situation, you can get verbal lashing," she said. "You can get called stupid; it's all your fault."
Since she moved to a physical location, Alexander has seen more than 300 clients. She said her customers work in just about every field -- restaurant employees, people from hospitals, attorneys, psychiatrists and their patients. Some are even executives. They all have regular problems. Alexander said they have girlfriend and boyfriend problems and boss problems. Anna Rhees visited recently. She works in the hospitality industry.
"Sometimes you're at work and you want to throw a printer against the wall. I got to throw a printer against the wall," she said.
And she did - right after she smashed a TV and a fax machine. Alexander said prices range from $25 for 5 minutes to $75 for 25 minutes.
And before you think, "That's not enough time," consider Rhees.
She served in the Iraq, is still in the Army Reserves and only lasted 11 minutes.
"Everyone leaves tired," Alexander said.
They also leave the Anger Room with a smile.
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