Complaining or Venting?

I like your definition of complaining and venting. It's very simple and easy to understand. Do you not agree with venting? I think sometimes it's necessary, although venting can tend to be very negative just like complaining.

Hi, Gerty. Your response is so wonderfully put. Venting is literally the meaning of the word. When we vent the roof of our house someday, it'll let the attic "breathe," so to speak. That's my more literal definition of the word with a nice analogy - LOL! Seriously, though, venting is necessary, in my opinion. It's letting off that steam as you said and then never bringing it up again later. I think that's the core difference between it and complaining. Complaining is going on and on about something to someone who can't do anything about it. For instance, if I go on and on about the horrible weather to my friend. She can't do anything about it, so why am I wasting my breath? I know I do it, but I can't stand complaining because it's such a waste of time and completely unproductive. I'm trying to get myself out of the habit and using venting as my outlet instead. Thanks for your insightful response!

Complaining = nagging - this is so very true! Nagging I associate with the same thing over and over and over again. It's so very annoying. However, venting is a one-time deal, like you said, and the person doing the venting should always feel better since they got whatever it was out in the open. It's like pushing off a burden that you've been carrying for a while. I like how you compared it to a stream because that's really what it's like!

I can definitely agree with your response in that venting is simply a cry to be heard! I've done that many times, but I would hope I'm not so much of a complainer. To add to what you said about complaining - I think it does require a response for the other person, and I've also experienced that it tends to go on and on. It seems like sometimes complaining never ends! Maybe what I'm trying to say is that complaining is a habit or tendency? I have a friend who is a complainer, so perhaps that's where I get that from. Everything out of her mouth is a complaint. When she needs to vent to me, it's actually a relief because, for once, she's not complaining! She's simply relaying information to me, like a negative experience or something like that. I've learned to always have an opinion in regards to whatever she is telling me! Most of the time, I agree with her, but I wouldn't go as far as to complain about it and bring it up over and over again. That's why I like venting so much. You share your thoughts and are done with it. I don't know about you, but I always feel so much better after venting! I don't feel better after complaining. So maybe that's another difference! Thanks for your response. I really enjoyed reading it.

I couldn't agree with you more! I find that after I vent, I feel better and am done with it. Once I vent, I don't normally bring it up again...or should I saw, I never have to vent about it again. It may come up again, but since I already got it off my chest, it's fine. I also agree with you that venting is normally done between two friends who most likely will agree with one another. I don't normally vent to acquaintances because they wouldn't understand what I'm going through. Only close friends will know what's on my mind and be close enough to me for me to share those details with them. I like the example you used for a complaint in that it is something we would share with someone high up at a store because that person is someone who can resolve the issue for us. That's a really great practice also. If we're going to complain, might as well complain to someone who can do something about it - LOL! Thanks for your response.

First of all, let me say that I'm honored you have chosen this as your first discussion to respond to! I'm so excited, and I hope that you will enjoy MyLot. It is a wonderful place. I love your response. You're exactly right that to pinpoint the difference between complaining and venting is hard, but we know that there definitely is a difference! I couldn't have defined these terms better myself. Complaining definitely does reference an issue that needs a solution whereas venting is only for the sake of being heard and feeling better afterward. Thanks again and best of luck to you! Keep up the good work.

Cyrus, I agree that venting is getting something off your mind. A lot of times it's necessary. Complaining is just empty air sometimes because when I hear (or participate in) complaining, it's a lot of talk about something someone doesn't like while they do absolutely nothing about it. Complaining is saying negative things about something you don't like while also doing not a thing about it. I don't think complaining is necessary because it reminds me a whining, which I can't stand lol! Yes, you're right about complaining "hoping" something works out instead of being the one willing to get it resolved yourself. I think complaining can also be borderline laziness. If I want something done, I'd rather just do it myself than complain about it not being done, if you know what I mean!

I find that interesting that your venting turns into an argument, but sometimes people around you aren't happy with what you're trying to get off your chest. I think venting is very necessary to make a person feel better, so if others don't like it when I vent, then they can go listen to someone else lol!