No you are not alone. My husband & I are both cynics. We have funny names for people that annoy us & often complain about unimportant matters. We try our best to do this in the privacy of our own home and not in front of the kids. I do hate those who are extreme on either end. The super nice & those that complain constantly. But yes, some of my best laughs come at the expense of someone or something that has annoyed me. Im just glad to know that Im not alone!

You're worried about Sharon Tate's sideburns? Did you WATCH that Cocker video?

I've always loved him!

Laughed out loud about fantasizing about cheese!!! Umm, yeah!

People who dont complain must be storing it up somewhere, about to blow at any moment. They frighten me.

Sounds like my kind of book club!

Sadly, Charlotte, I have watched that Joe Cocker video about 7 times. I even made my kids watch it, but because they know little about the Beatles and even less about Joe Cocker, the whole thing was lost on them. Alas.

I agree 100%. You have to wonder about the people who never complain. Who are they trying to impress? That must be so draining holding everything in. I like to think people who complain are just more honest.

Specifically, I think bloggers who complain about things are far more funny, interesting, and relatable than those that don't. Because really, who wants to read about someone who is happy with how everything turns out all the time? That makes voyeurism useless.

I loved this post and I want in on your book club. My book club meets tonight and eating will definitely be involved, along with an hours worth of conversation not about the book. As for complaining, it's why I couldn't join a Mom's Club when I was at home with my daughter. Everyone had a perfect child. It made me nervous because I was the only one willing to spill the beans that I was a tasmanian devil of a mother just trying to hold it all together. I dropped out and started spending time with moms like me who like coffee and imperfect children. I became instantly happier.

I agree. A certain amount of complaining is part of the human condition, so when I come into contact with someone who never, ever complains, I wonder, "Is that person for real?" And yet, I don't like to be around negative people, or people who cut other people down. The folks who use humor and wit to point out the absurdities of life are the best.

Personally I think I'm at my wittiest when I'm venting about my kids/husband! I do have a friend who very rarely comlains...she's a glass is half full or rose colored glasses person...it's hard to believe she's not fake....of course the fact she's beautiful makes it even harder to take! BTW....I love cheese, but I love chocolate and wine more!

I have two acquaintances (I'm afraid to call them friends) who when I see only complains...about everything...nothing is ever right or one is never happy...Come on, there has to be good days when nothing goes wrong and there is nothing to complain about? Talk about Eeyores!! And talk about doom and gloom, I think there are just some people who can not survive if there's nothing wrong in their life!!

Are complainers more interesting? Yes - to a point. Myth, novels, plays-- in fact, all story-telling is structured around conflict. Without conflict there is no point, no message, no lesson. A play where everyone likes each other and has NO problems is simply not interesting. Life is simlilar, but life's chapters are less conspicuous than those in a novel and we can't put the book down whenever we want! We all are living a story and attempting, as we go, to distill the message in it.
Anyone living life un-critically is either in denial or unaware. The fine line between an observant, witty critic and an Eeyore is between personal responsibility and false martyrdom. Those who, in a witty way, note the ironies of life are usually willing to act to improve their situation. Eeyores are content to point out problems but always blame others and never have any intention of becoming part of the solution. We all find ourselves in each camp at times, I suspect. The trick is to be intentional about dwelling in the critical and witty, but constructive, camp.

Yeah, I totally agree too. I work with two different types who never seem to complain and both make me uncomfortably suspicious and both have something to hide. The first type I think is more genuine; I think she is merely trying to hide and/or escape a painful childhood maybe, or an abusive relationship and so she never complains so that no one will ask her what is wrong. Every single time I've ever asked her what's wrong she very convincingly answers me with a laugh and that nothing is wrong. In other words, she has the act down to a science (of course there may have been times when she truly wasn't bothered by anything). Or if she doesn't sound convincing she will answer in a way that lets you know the subject is closed.

The second type is a predator. All she cares about is her own personal success, and whenever she shows concern to somebody she always strikes me as being so phony. For the longest time I ignored that gut feeling because I wanted to believe she was genuine. As time wore on however, her actions (or lack thereof, depending on the situation) proved time and again how fake she is. And the worst part is whenever you ask her how SHE'S doing: she turns on the syrup into high gear, it's so nauseating.

That being said, I know complainers who are less than genuine too, but overall I'll take a complainer over a non-complainer any day.

Oh! I used to be really, really quiet, and rarely ever complained... but adult life has brought some things that are worthy of complaints from me. Hehe, so hopefully I am no longer boring!

Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas
www.lovelylasvegas.blogspot.com

Yeah, well, complainers and drama queens make lunch at work more juicy, suspenseful, and well....dramatic! But the chronic complainer who NEVER has anything good to say makes me crazy. Sometimes I am extra cheerful and perky around those people just to piss them off!

They are a little more boring, but after reading this article, it also reminds me not to complain so much and not to take my significant other for granted. :) I often agree with what you say about men, but today I'm feeling a little more grateful for what I do have. Especially with things the way they are these days.

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/marriage-sex/recession-proof-marriage

Absolutely. It makes me wonder what is UP! Online my personality is always pretty chipper because I'm online and I generally am not angry when I'm blogging or IMing my friends. But in real life, when I experience an emotion or whatever that is less than good I certainly show it. My husband says I am fiery sometimes. :) But I have friends that are VERY and I mean VERY Stepford Wives and it does freak me out. A lot.

It depends what they're complaining or not complaining about. For example, I have arthritis in my knee but I rarely complain about it. Why? Because it's BORING, that's why! I don't want to hear about your neuritis, neuralgia, arthritis, psoriasis, sciatica, problem pregnancy or whatever physical problem you may have. Old people complain about that stuff. I am NOT old. Kids, relationships, friends, fashion, weather, heck yes, I'll jump right in there!

I was JUST reading another blog that I have enjoyed for a long time, but lately I've been thinking that her life is just way too perfect. I don't know if I can read it anymore. Frankly, iIt's starting to make me nauseous. I was so relieved to see your title. ( I have absolutely nothing negative to say about Greer and Anne's comments. Loved them.)

Agreed! It's definitely a double-edged sword because, in the right situation, complainers are the life of the party and entertain everyone. In the wrong situation, they are the most annoying people on the planet. However, regardless of how one feels about complainers, there can be no debate over how the most interesting conversations always develope after a good glass(es) of wine with friends!

Or maybe those 'non-complainers' are just content, realise how much worse it could be, and just appreciate things as they are.
Atleast, that's how I see life.

Are people who never compain boring? Sometimes I think they have learned something I don't know yet and sometimes I think that when I complain I'm trying to learn what it is I don't know.

I generally think that people who are all *rainbows and sunshine* all the time are faking it, and that is a huge turn off for me. I also think that there is a difference between complaining and being honest about some bad times that you are going through.

My theory would be that those of us who are the complainers, and believe you me, I'm on that list.... we realize that it wouldn't be much to fun to sit at listen to someone who was talking about how wonderfully wonderful their lives are. So, it's much easier to draw a crowd and get some laughs when we're complaining. The non-complainers, just aren't crowd pleasers like the rest of us : ) !

I think there is a definite difference between being fake and pretending to be perfect versus simply being someone who doesn't complain much... I think there is a happy medium with the complaining. I appreciate people who are honest when things are tough, as opposed to coming off like everything's great all the time. I have to say, I had a tough time emotionally adjusting to moving in with my fiance (now husband) a couple of years ago after living on my own for 8 years... what made it tough for me was that no one talks about how it can be difficult, and I had it in my mind that being engaged is the best time in your life - when I hit some road bumps throughout the process, I thought there was something wrong with how I was feeling!

That being said, I recommend checking out the Complaint Free World movement, http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/ It gives very solid reasoning as to why complaining all the time isn't so great. The complaint free challenge is extremely difficult (I haven't been able to do it), but worthwhile to realize exactly how often you complain!