Laura Wilson - NewsPress
July 13, 2008 12:55 am
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Are you a complainer? I am.
It just comes naturally. I’d say it’s an occupational hazard, but I think the complaining came before the occupation. (They still may be related, though.)
Over the years, I have tried to become more aware of complaining, particularly pointless complaining just for the sake of criticizing someone else. I fail a lot, but I try.
Some complaining, after all, is useful because some things should be complained about. Some things are just wrong and should be pointed out. And sometimes there are better ways to do things. In those instances, the complaints ought to be accompanied by suggestions on how to make it right or how to do the thing better.
What if you don’t know how to make it right? I think it’s OK to complain in those cases, but the right tone will make a difference, as will a willingness to help.
Complaints with no willingness to try to do something to fix the issue, though, are just annoying. I don’t believe that if you can’t say something nice, you shouldn’t say anything, but I do believe that if you aren’t willing to help, you should shut up. (I’ll try when it’s me.)
Laura Wilson can be reached at 372-5000, Ext. 230, or .
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