Youth’s lifestyle

'Smashing and destroying to vent anger' service attracts young people

VN (according to VnExpress) December 26, 2024 11:15

After putting on protective clothing, boots, gloves, helmet and picking up a baseball bat, Minh Anh entered the 'anger room' and started smashing things.

Minh Anh, 21 tuổi, ở Long Biên mặc đồ bảo hộ, chọn dụng cụ để đập, phá đồ trong phòng trút giận, tháng 12/2024. Ảnh: Nga Thanh
Minh Anh, 21 years old, in Long Bien, wearing protective gear, chose a tool to smash things in the room to vent his anger, on the evening of December 24.

"Victim" of 21 year old girl in room about 10 m2are dozens of glass bottles, broken electronics, car tires and spray paint cans or markers. After smashing the bottles, using a hammer to "hit" the wooden door or the wall, Minh Anh used a marker to scribble graffiti on the wall.

"Instead of locking myself in my room every time I get stressed, this method of releasing anger helps me regain balance faster," Minh Anh said.

She learned about this service at the end of November. Since trying it out, she has been coming here every week to vent her anger, mostly after work. Minh Anh is satisfied with this way of releasing her anger, but wants to have more anger rooms with specific themes, from work to love, to suit her mood.

Duc Hai, 21 years old, in Hoang Mai district, is one of the regular customers of the service. He wanted to become a chef but his parents forced him to study engineering. In recent years, Hai has often "split" himself into two schedules: going to school in the morning and secretly going to cooking class at night. The pressure of studying and conflicts with his family often make Duc Hai feel frustrated. The anger room has become his savior.

On the evening of December 24, Hai spent 300,000 VND for 60 minutes to break 30 glass bottles, use a hammer to smash walls and wooden doors at a service on Quan Nhan Street, Thanh Xuan District. After an hour of smashing things and screaming, Hai felt tired and went outside to talk to the owner. "It seems easier to open up to strangers than to friends and relatives. I feel comfortable releasing some of the frustration I've been holding back for so long," Hai said.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hao, 26 years old, opened a rage room service on Giap Nhat Street, Thanh Xuan District since November. The service imitates the rage room model that first appeared in Japan in 2008, and is now popular in many countries such as the US, UK, Argentina, and Serbia. Accordingly, players are provided with protective clothing, gloves, helmets, tools to break bottles, and old, broken electronics in a safe, supervised environment. The service price ranges from 300,000 to 600,000 VND for one time of unlimited use.

Guests can come alone or in groups. The facility only accepts guests over 16 years old because they are fully aware and know how to ensure safety.

The owner said about 50% of customers come alone and the most common reason for wanting to relieve stress is because they are facing difficulties and pressure at work, in relationships or in their family. The main customers are Gen Z, aged 18-26.

Khách trải nghiệm đập, phá đồ trong phòng kín tại một cơ sở Rage room ở quận Thanh Xuân, tháng 12/2024. Ảnh: Quỳnh Nguyễn
Customers experience smashing and destroying things in a closed room at a "Rage room" facility in Thanh Xuan district, December 2024

Since opening the service, Mr. Hao has advised thousands of people about the new model. So far, there have been several hundred customers coming to experience it, mostly in the evenings and on weekends. Customers have booked their schedules until December.

In addition to providing protective gear and first aid kits for those in need, Mr. Hao also installed cameras in the room to observe and promptly handle any problems that arise.

Not only in Hanoi, the rage room model has nearly a dozen establishments in Ho Chi Minh City, starting to appear since the beginning of 2024. On social networks, videos sharing about the services and experiences of customers when coming to "Rage room" attract millions of views.

Master Nguyen Viet Chung, lecturer at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, said that the anger room service is somewhat useful because it provides timely support for people who are stressed and want to find a safe way to relieve stress immediately. Especially in modern society, many young people face a lot of pressure and stress because of work and love.

According to a scientific study published in the journalThe Seattle Times, smashing things (even for a few minutes) often makes players sweat and feel tired as the adrenaline levels in the blood decrease. This is similar to exercise, which helps release endorphins - hormones that help reduce pain and control stress.

Nhiều cặp đôi, nhóm bạn cũng ghé các cơ sở Rage room ở Hà Nội để xả stress, tháng 12/2024. Ảnh: Nga Thanh
A couple of friends visit the "Rage room" facility in Hanoi to relieve stress, December 2024

Kim Chi, 23 years old, and her boyfriend from Long Bien came to the room to vent their anger in Thanh Xuan district. She said that 2024 will bring many changes in her work and life, so she wanted to find a place to "release bad luck". Before knowing about the service, Chi often played games or traveled to relieve stress.

"With economic difficulties and reduced income, going out becomes more difficult. The anger room helps me relieve stress without spending too much money," Chi said.

Besides the positive aspects, Master Nguyen Viet Chung believes that choosing this violent way of expressing emotions will negatively affect the way individuals respond to their frustrations in the long run.

"Each person should choose a radical solution such as seeing a psychologist, avoiding contact with stressors, learning how to control anger and building a suitable rest regimen," said Mr. Chung.

VN (according to VnExpress)
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'Smashing and destroying to vent anger' service attracts young people