A while back, I wrote a blog post about dealing with constant complainers. The main point is that offering possible solutions rarely works on inveterate complainers because they’re not really after suggestions – they’re after empathy.
Well, one reader tried it out, and found that… well, read it for yourself:
Holy Crap it works. My wife is a constant complainer and when ever I voice my opinion or offer a suggestion she gets mad. I literally used what was suggested in the article, I said, “You know, that sounds terrible. I don’t know how you deal with all of these problems.”
She thought I was being super sweet and understanding… to make a long story short, I got laid. It was worth the effort.
I’m still laughing about that one. And if this whole “happiness at work” gig ever goes sour I’m going into marriage counselling instead :o)
OMG! That’s classic!!!! I do that to my mom all the time. Luckily she has not attempted incest, LOL
Great story!
The ability to tune into someone’s world view is rather like a tourist seeing the best and worst of a country and able to appreciate it is what it is.
I’m retired so I can’t do it with co-workers. I live along so I can’t do it to my spouse or significant other. I guess I could use it on myself……but, if it leads to a romantic interlude, I may not get done what needs to get done!
Great post