Online jury for bickering couples

Gone are the days when conjugal fights were confined to the bedroom only, for couples have now become more open about discussing relationship issues, so much so, that they use cyberspace to air their problems.

Sidetaker.com, a site created by an American webpage designer, is one such example.Thousands of people can express their opinions about who is right and wrong, and could then read their bickering.

Justin Marinos created Sidetaker.com about three months ago, but already couples and singles across the globe are flooding in to take part. "When I was arguing with a girl my friends would always take my side and her friends her side - I just wanted an unbiased opinion," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Marinos, 30, as saying.

He added: "So I just came up with the idea of the site. People want to see what other people think about their own situation and they like to hear about other people's lives..."

Usually, participants log onto the site anonymously and type in their side of the story, which is then emailed to the other party, giving them the chance to respond.

Then, other people sign up to become a member of the jury and analyse the issues for two months before casting their votes. And the couples' arguments range from the tragic to the bizarre, with topics ranging from annoying bathroom habits to whether or not they should start swinging.

Marinos said he thought couples were willing to open up because they felt safe.

"It's all anonymous so people can feel free to express their feelings without worrying that someone will identify them," he said.