Idea of a "vent service"

[wombat42]

Pubs and entertainment are nice but it is all relatively superficial. A "vent service" somewhere would be more useful - somewhere where you can get something off your chest and speak your mind. You may be subject to domestic abuse or workplace bullying, you may be depressed, you may have serious debt, you may have an injury, you may have a gambling addiction, you may be an alcoholic - but few others really want to know about this or can be trusted with this information. People may ask how you are but they normally would just expect "fine thanks" as a response. Conversations in pubs, for example, tend to be quite superficial maybe just talking about the footy. Personally I wouldnt mind spending half an hour listening to someone else's problems if they were willing to spend half an hour listening to mine.

There was a vent service years ago where you could phone up a paid service allowing you to vent to your hearts content. Taking it a stage further is getting actual advice rather than just being able to vent.

[King Nuts]

There's always Speakers' Corner in London. But I suspect any evidence of wrongthink will mean you get your collar felt.

There's the Samaritans. A fine body of men and women.

And then there's this place, but it seems more than half of participants in the poll are, bizarrely, mad keen on censorship.


But I suspect what would really work is a cross between a session with a good shrink and Python's 'Five Minute Argument'.

[wombat42]

There's always Speakers' Corner in London. But I suspect any evidence of wrongthink will mean you get your collar felt.

There's the Samaritans. A fine body of men and women.

And then there's this place, but it seems more than half of participants in the poll are, bizarrely, mad keen on censorship.


But I suspect what would really work is a cross between a session with a good shrink and Python's 'Five Minute Argument'.

There is a fundamental disconnect between a relatively superficial world (consumerism etc) and one's own issues which could possibly be life threatening but you generally feel obliged to keep them bottled up which in itself is not healthy.

[King Nuts]

There is a fundamental disconnect between a relatively superficial world (consumerism etc) and one's own issues which could possibly be life threatening but you generally feel obliged to keep them bottled up which in itself is not healthy.

Completely agree. But don't knock consumerism. It got you the computer you're using. And it means you don't have to piss in a bucket.

Superficiality can be good too. It means you don't have to engage in any deep way the mad old bloke next door. Just nod to him once in a while.

And what about Better Living Through Denial? Works for me.

[winkywanky]

Pubs and entertainment are nice but it is all relatively superficial. A "vent service" somewhere would be more useful - somewhere where you can get something off your chest and speak your mind. You may be subject to domestic abuse or workplace bullying, you may be depressed, you may have serious debt, you may have an injury, you may have a gambling addiction, you may be an alcoholic - but few others really want to know about this or can be trusted with this information. People may ask how you are but they normally would just expect "fine thanks" as a response. Conversations in pubs, for example, tend to be quite superficial maybe just talking about the footy. Personally I wouldnt mind spending half an hour listening to someone else's problems if they were willing to spend half an hour listening to mine.

There was a vent service years ago where you could phone up a paid service allowing you to vent to your hearts content. Taking it a stage further is getting actual advice rather than just being able to vent.

Surely you can do all this for free, on here, within Off Topic?

Completely anonymous, and whatever ails you (or your mind) there'll be sympathy or even first hand knowledge available.

[David1970]

I vent a lot especially after a curry

[wombat42]

Completely agree. But don't knock consumerism. It got you the computer you're using. And it means you don't have to piss in a bucket.

Superficiality can be good too. It means you don't have to engage in any deep way the mad old bloke next door. Just nod to him once in a while.

And what about Better Living Through Denial? Works for me.

A superficial chinwag with your neighbour or to someone down the pub is worth something. In pubs most conversation is innocuous as if you get into religion and politics etc you may inadvertantly hit a nerve with the other person. But they really wouldnt want to know if you were suffering domestic or workplace abuse or are a gambling addict/alcoholic or you are waiting for an operation at a hospital. It is difficult to talk about very serious stuff.

[Markus]

Women have that all the time, women’s hour etc etc.  Talking to someone is crucial in this day and age.

It’s probably why Avon ladies used to do well before. Ladies would have a natter on the door step and end up buying £60 worth of face cream.

[wombat42]

Surely you can do all this for free, on here, within Off Topic?

Completely anonymous, and whatever ails you (or your mind) there'll be sympathy or even first hand knowledge available.

If the mods were willing to set up a dedicated "Vent service" message board, I would contribute to it. It would be a great idea.

[winkywanky]

If the mods were willing to set up a dedicated "Vent service" message board, I would contribute to it. It would be a great idea.

All you need do is start a thread entitled Vent Service?

[wombat42]

All you need do is start a thread entitled Vent Service?

No it needs to be a separate message board where each individual who wanted to vent created their own thread.

[badsin]

There's always Speakers' Corner in London. But I suspect any evidence of wrongthink will mean you get your collar felt.

There's the Samaritans. A fine body of men and women.

And then there's this place, but it seems more than half of participants in the poll are, bizarrely, mad keen on censorship.


But I suspect what would really work is a cross between a session with a good shrink and Python's 'Five Minute Argument'.

I wouldn't advise anybody to go to speakers corner anymore. Full of religious fruit cakes and neo-marxists

[winkywanky]

No it needs to be a separate message board where each individual who wanted to vent created their own thread.

I wish you luck in your quest.

But in the absence of a dedicated 'Venting board' on a punting site, Samaritans might be an alternative.