Scriptor was correct that this seems to be a phenomenon in Japan.
However, I have found references to a radio story on NPR about this as
recently as March 2002, so it is quite possible that this is the group
dreaden heard about on the radio. I have included information about
contacting such a group, Office Shadow, in Japan.
In Japan, the term for this type of hired assistance in ending a
relationship is called "Wakaresaseya" which translates to
"breaker-uppers".
According to the Christian Science Monitor (link to article below):
"Japan's wakaresaseya will - for a price - end an affair, break off an
engagement, or help a company fire someone. Their appeal is avoiding
conflict in a society that prizes harmony." The article estimates
that it will cost "$12,000 to bust up a relationship."
Office Shadow is one such organization. However, if you do not choose
to part with that amount of money, you may prefer to use the "Was Nice
Knowing You" email service provided below.
Office Shadow (Tokyo, Japan):
http://www.tokyo-dream.net/otasuke/new_index.html
Email: otasuke@tokyo-dream.net
Telephone: 03-3366-4440
Other Services:
Was Nice Knowing You will write an email to the person you want to
break up with.
http://www.wasniceknowingyou.com/
Coincidence Design is the exact opposite of a break up service.
Instead they are hired to create "accidental" meetings that lead to
relationships. I have included it for your reference.
http://www.coincidencedesign.com/
Articles and Radio Stories:
Real Audio File: NPR Morning Edition "Doing Dirty Work" by Eric
Weiner, March 25, 2002.
http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/me/20020325.me.11.ram
NPR Morning Edition March 25, 2002 links page.
http://search.npr.org/cf/cmn/cmnpd01fm.cfm?PrgDate=03/25/2002&PrgID=3
The Christian Science Monitor, "Calling in the Split Man", by Marjorie
Coeyman, February 28, 2002. [Very professionally written article on
this topic]
http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0228/p11s02-lihc.html
The Daily Northwestern, "Obsessive Ph stalkers should consider hiring
outside service", by Laurel Felt, January 28, 2002. [This article is
helpful]
http://www.dailynorthwestern.com/daily/issues/2002/01/28/forum/f-felt.shtml
"Breaking up is getting much easier to do", by Karen S. Peterson,
February 19, 2002. [This article does not discuss Wakaresaseya, but
does provide online break up information]
http://www.detroitnews.com/2002/homelife/0202/22/c06-420081.htm
Search Terms: "breaker-uppers", Wakaresaseya
Additional Search Terms: "Lady's Secret Service" Tokyo
For the record, I can find no reference in any etiquette guide to
suggest that this is the optimal way to end a relationship. You may
find additional alternatives and advice on breaking up at Break Ups
101.
http://breakups101.com/thoughts.html |
Clarification of Answer by
snapanswer-ga
on
05 Aug 2002 13:25 PDT
The Howard Stern usenet group indicates that the service was "The
Rejection Line" which appeared in a previous comment of mine. The
Rejection Line has service in the Los Angeles and New York areas.
Apparently it aired on 2/26/2002. While this may very well be the
service you heard on the radio, it is only a phone service, not a
full-scale Wakaresaseya service.
http://www.rejectionline.com/
Also, it may interest you to know that this may one day be a movie.
The following indicates that a writer has been hired for Ben Stiller's
Red Hour Films production company to produce a movie for DreamWorks:
http://staging.inhollywood.com/IH/News/Weekly/TWID/TWID_012502.htm
I have pulled quotes from messages from the thread that you may find
of interest.
This message was posted in the Usenet newgroup alt.howard-stern.fan by
a user named RAN:
"[the service that will break up a relationship for you] was called
"The Rejection Line." It's only in NY AFAIK [As Far As I Know]. They
have
a website: http://www.rejectionline.com
It aired on 2-26-02.
RAN"
Another message in this thread, from Kato26 says:
"Tune in to O&A...should be on any day now."
Not being from the New York area, I didn't know what O&A was.
However, I found it to be a reference to the Opie & Anthony radio
program on WNEW 102.7 from 3PM-7PM Eastern time.
http://www.wnew.com/
You can also listen to webcasts of the Opie & Anthony radio show.
Information is available here:
http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/su/
I was unable to get through to the Howard Stern show by phone.
However, the Howard Stern FAQ indicates that the radio show can be
reached at:
(800) 44-STERN(78376)
(212) 246-KROCK (5762) - Request Line - new studio, new line.
(212) 314-9322 - K-Rock Main Number
(212) 314-9340 - Stern Show Fax Number
Usenet Message Thread "Past Guest: Company that breaks up with
boyfriend for you" (August 4-5, 2002):
http://groups.google.com/groups?th=218cec3a4e4e281
Search terms: "O&A" radio show
Search terms: Howard Stern FAQ
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Clarification of Answer by
snapanswer-ga
on
07 Aug 2002 09:38 PDT
I believe that if you accept the answer, or, don't reject the answer,
payment will occur without requiring you to take additional steps.
When you accept the answer, you are also able to rate the answer, if
you choose. In addition, I will notify the Google Answers team to
review this, in case you have additional concerns that I am unable to
address.
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