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28. 07. 12. - 12:30

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28. 07. 12. - 12:30

Swear Hotline

Kathryn Quinn

Two Germans inspired by the 1972 Monty-Python sketch about a man who wants to pay for an argument have set up a real-life argument Hotline for grumpy Germans to ring and let off steam.

Alexander Brandenburger and Ralf SchulteZur from Hessen are cashing in a pound a minute for the complainant to ring up and argue about what ever is annoying them most at the time. Shouting and swearing are all allowed and included in the price for the service which is available 18 hours a day.

In the Monty Python sketch a man goes into a surgery and books a five-minute row with argument consultant John Cleese for five pounds.

Schulte said: "It sounds like a silly idea but it is really healthy. A lot of people need to be able to let off steam about the frustrations of the modern world – and by being able to have a go at our trained its argument staff it means they can be a lot more relaxed and less argumentative in other areas of their life."

The pair will even help amateur arguers by suggesting ways that they can improve their argument, including when might be the right time to really lose control and shout a bit – offering suggestions of swear words that might be appropriate to encourage the process.

But the move has been criticised by professional telephone counselling services.

Priest Sven Kepper, who offers a telephone counselling service for unhappy Germans, said the argument Hotline could not be taken seriously and was certainly not giving helpful or professional advice to callers.

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