I’m British.

I complain about the weather. Every. Single. Day.

More. I’m Scottish. And us Scots like to complain about … everything!

Well, when I say ‘complain’ I really mean ‘moan.’ You know, there’s nothing quite beats a heartfelt moan or grumble to sanctify the soul. I think it’s a by-product of the miserable weather we have to suffer. 😉

Politics; climate change; our favourite football team; people who walk too slowly around the supermarket, and the price of mince. All are fair game for a good old moan.

Yeah, for sure -moaning is fine, but rarely does it result in anything other than a satisfied feeling of offloading your angst onto others. (Well – why should they be content and happy when you’re feeling embittered about something. It’s sometimes easier to bring their mood down to your level, than motivating yourself to actually rectify the situation.)

That said, I do feel as I get older, I’m becoming quite adept at taking a more proactive approach to complaining. I think it boils down to becoming more of a grumpy curmudgeon as the sands of time run quicker through my hour-glass of Life.

Basically, it’s getting to the stage where I just don’t give a tu’penny one anymore. 😉

I’ve recently from holiday in India. On the first evening, we had a meal with friends at a local restaurant we’d visited many times in the past. My ‘starter’ course was served so late, the others in our party had finished. And my main course was also on its way to the table at the very same time.

I refused the dish, requesting it be deleted from my bill.

The head waiter then compounded the issue by addressing not me, but the other bloke in our party, explaining the ‘problems’ they were having that evening.

Moaning would have been ineffective. So I complained. Politely, but very firmly.

Next time we visited, the head waiter introduced himself, shook my hand, walked us to our table and ensured all the other waiters were at our immediate back and call.

I’d call that a bit of a result!

I also had recent cause to formally complain about the shocking service from an Insurance provider. Long story, but they initially offered £100 compensation. However, that was not forthcoming so I complained again – and they paid an additional £300.

At the same time, I tried contacting them on the phone-lines they detailed in their letters. There was no reply over several attempts, so I complained again. And again they promised to pay another £100!

I had actually forgotten all about it, but on return from holiday this weekend, there was a letter from the Insurers, apologizing profusely for not making the payment promptly – and so they made a direct payment into my bank account for another £400!

And I wasn’t even aware of their new failure. 😀

Hey – I like this complaining lark. It’s easy, and it pays well. I could make a living from it, perhaps.

Forget moaning. That’s so ‘yesterday.

Complaining’s where it’s at!

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