Oh Come, All Ye Whiners

There seems to be an innate desire in all of us, to some extent, to complain about things. Some people seem to complain non-stop, while others rarely say anything negative. I would like to see some hard data regarding stress levels and complaining. Does it increase our stress by making us focus on it more, or does it have a therapeutic effect on our physical and mental state? And, more importantly, can I list “whining” as a hobby when I am filling out a form that asks?

That gives me an idea. Do you think I could set up a booth where, for an hourly fee, I would listen to people complain about anything they wanted to? I bet people would pay for that sort of service. I would listen and nod concernedly, and offer empathy. Think Lucy’s psychiatrist booth from Peanuts. What do you think?

Comments

Unknown said…
Isn't that what a therapist does? I never wanted to go into that line of work because I'm the type of person that takes other peoples' problems on myself and make them my own. I would never be able to disassociate myself from my clients' issues once I left the office. But I think I could handle being the one to complain to someone else all day long. Poor Nathan.
October 20, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Joel said…
Well, it seems like a therapist is supposed to help you overcome your problems, which I won't pretend to do at all. I would just be there to let people vent about whatever they wanted to.
October 20, 2008 at 1:03 PM
)en said…
I hate listening to people complain. I'm a really empathetic person and good friend.
October 20, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Nathan Mulford said…
Well I couldn't do that because of my deep hatred for my fellow man. Noticed I didn't say my fellow woman, by which I mean my wife.
October 20, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Nathan Mulford said…
I realize that my comment regarding my wife could be misconstrued as sarcasm. Let me be absolutely clear. I love to hear my wife complain. I mean....crap. Don't read this.
October 20, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Kevin Lloyd said…
As a therapist I can confirm that this is exactly what I do. Sometimes I do get to say things like "your life sounds like it really sucks," or I do sometimes play up the boredom on my face, but in principle I most just listen to them whine and nod my head to let them know that I am fulfilling my therapist duties.
October 21, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Joel said…
So, as long as they understand that I'm in no way licensed, I don't have to go through the schooling. And, as long as I charge less than a real therapist, I'd still get some business. Everybody wins!
October 21, 2008 at 10:06 AM
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