German fat cat turns to hot dogs

By Ray Furlong BBC News, Frankfurt

Thomas works in the shadow of the skyscraper where he was a trader

Thomas Brause used to earn a six-figure salary working as a trader in a gleaming Frankfurt tower. Now he sells sausages on the street outside.

"My friends and family said: 'You're crazy'," he said. "But they also said: 'Go for it!'"

His stand is a converted bus that he bought on eBay. In front of it, office workers and labourers from a building site opposite chat over Bratwurst and French fries on white cardboard trays.

When Thomas looks up, he sees the skyscraper where he worked until the world financial crash arrived.

"I was working for an American brokers with offices all around the globe," he said. "It ended on 10 December 2008 - a Wednesday. The Friday before we'd had our Christmas party. Our bosses had come out from London to celebrate with us.

"The Wednesday started normally, but then at 1100 an e-mail came round from human resources. By 1400 we were out the door."

At first, Thomas tried sending his CV to get similar jobs. But in a changed market, he was offered around half his previous salary. So he hit upon his radical change of direction.

"I'd first got the idea when I was working in the office," he said. "I'd think: hmm, lunch wasn't up to much this afternoon. I could really use a good German Currywurst with chips."

No less stress

But amidst the slick cafes of Frankfurt, no-one was selling grilled sausage smothered in ketchup and curry powder. Thomas spied a gap in the market.

So now there are long queues in front of his bus every lunchtime and Thomas hopes his business will soon be in the black. "If I can earn 60-70% of my former wage with my snack bar, I will be more happy than before," he said, presumably not including his former bonuses in the calculation.

He used to handle deals worth millions of dollars - via computer screens and the telephone. Now, he sells Bratwurst with mustard and brown bread for 2.40 euros (£2.15; $3.50), and French fries for 1.60 euros. "And my sister's home-made cakes," he added. "I mustn't forget to mention them.

If you're not happy with your job, it's bad for you Thomas Brause

"These are real things, not abstract things. You can touch them. I deliver something and I get something in return. It's more satisfying."

In a way, what he has done is a fantasy for many highly-paid people in demanding jobs.

"I've heard lots of people moaning about their jobs," said Mr Brause. "As soon as people get to management level they dream of this, and this was a dream of mine for a while because I was pretty fed up with my job too. The office politics was terrible."

But as the sausages sizzled on a hot plate, Thomas said quitting his high-powered job had not made life less stressful.

"I work 14-hour days," he said. "I get up at 0530. This is more stressful than before! I did my previous job for 24 years so I was very used to it. Now, I have to learn a lot of things and cope with circumstances I've never seen before.

"But I would say I'm happier. If you're not happy with your job, it's bad for you. I lost everything but it was an opportunity. So now I'm here - and I'll see where I am in a year's time."

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