Actually, the show was about not complaining. There is a place in Kansas City that has started a program called A Complaint Free World. It is their belief that if one can stop complaining, then a life of gratitude...and supposedly a happier life, will result. They have bracelets that they promote (so far they've sold almost 5 million of them!!!) - you are supposed to put the bracelet on one arm and then whenever you catch yourself complaining you are to switch it to the other arm. When you can go 21 days without switching it (without complaining) you should have created a new habit in your life...and you're on your way.
I grasp the idea. Bitching doesn't always make things better. Quite often it makes things worse. Sometimes we get caught in an awful cycle of misery when we start complaining and the best thing for us is to just STOP.
This is a FAQ from their site:
Isn’t blowing off steam by complaining healthy?
Actually, studies have shown that complaining about one’s health actually tends to make a person’s health worse.
I understand this and I wholeheartedly believe it. A positive attitude about one's health is MUCH more likely to result in good health than complaining about one's health is. The same can be said for other things - relationships, work environments, family issues, etc.
But I think they are over-simplifying. I'm not totally sold on this "complaint-free life" idea. In certain circumstances, yes. But in others....I think complaining has a place. Maybe it is the years focused on marketing/customer service, but I can't understand letting poor customer service go without mention. I don't act like a lunatic when I complain, I don't draw attention to myself and I never raise my voice. But I do bring attention to the fact that things should have been handled differently (by the provider). As a marketing educator, I teach my students that they (when they are marketing professionals) should appreciate negative feedback. If not for the negative feedback, how are they to know when things have gone badly for the customer? Finding out (and hearing customer complaints) gives them a chance to fix things, to make things right...and then hopefully to not have it happen again in the future.
Now, maybe if while people are not complaining, other people are also improving their behavior (thereby decreasing the need for complaints) we'll be onto something. However, I have my doubts.
What? That wasn't a complaint. It was just an expression of doubt!
..
All of that said, I could probably stand to stop complaining about simple irritations. I've already had an exchange with someone this morning (continued from last night) about a third party. In all likelihood, those rants didn't do anyone any good. I don't feel any better and I doubt the person I was talking to feels any better. I know the third party doesn't because he isn't even aware that his behavior was being discussed by us.
But, will I stop? *shrugs* Not sure. It is sort of fun to blow off steam every once in a while about an irritation - especially a "common" irritation, one that you share with others. Is it leading to an unhappier world? I don't know. I hope not.
..
What do you think? Does this idea have merit? Or should we leave room in the world for complaints?
3 comments:
I clicked on the link you provided and saw an ad for a 'Complaint Free Cruise'. I think, based on many of the conversations we've had, there's a very real chance I'd be made to walk the plank before the ship even got out of the harbour!
That said, I think you made a good point. Complaining to and with someone who shares a common issue with you, is a little different to complaining to everybody, about everything.
I really believe that when 'complaining' falls under the category of 'venting' it can be both therapeutic .. and sometimes even fun.
But what do I know? .. I'm just a grumpy old sod!
Gosh I'm back again .. sorry!
Just thought it's interesting that we Brits are notorious for not complaining enough about products and services ..
"How's your steak sir?"
"Lovely, thank you."
(when in fact it's way over-cooked and tough as old boots)
I frequently hear over here, about how dreadful British food is .. so shouldn't we be complaining more in that case?
Conversely though, I think British retailers, utilities and service providers in general (despite fewer complaints), have a far more focussed belief in protecting the business by satisfying the customer .. rather than by protecting itself from the customer.
So. What conclusions do I draw from all these random points I made?
*shrugs*
Screw it, I'm gonna keep on complaining! *winks*
Ha! Great points!
(and I refuse to order a steak when I go to the UK with you. Just sayin'. I hear they serve their peas mushy too. I feel a complaint coming on. *w*)
A bit of venting once in a while is certainly a good thing. If you and I say it....'tis true! (I know that others must agree with us!) Focusing on the negative...not a good thing. But venting and moving on...*nods* gotta be good.
Post a Comment