I was talking with my sister the other day, and confessed something to her.

When I feel the need to vent, I will call up a family member. If they start telling me a story, for example "It was nice yesterday, we went to the park." I'll come back with, "You know, your story reminds me of something terrible that happened at work." I'll then continue on with my gripe.

Then there is the "one upmanship" gripe. The other person has a gripe at work..."You won't believe what so-and-so said to me at work! Did you know she threw a phone at someone and didn't get fired?!" My response is "That's terrible! That reminds me of something that happened at MY work....and go on to relate my story.

Then there is the "can you believe this relative? What a jerk!" Quickly degenerates into Jerry Springer. "He asked for a refrigerator for a wedding gift?!!" Well what did Dad say to him? "I'll forget you ever said that."
He offered to DJ at the party for $50 then asked for $500 two weeks before graduation? Forget it! What a jerk!

For awhile there both my sister and I hated our jobs and talked weekly about them. Her poor husband always looked pained when we started in, and would disappear. Thankfully I haven't got any health issues as that is a popular topic among the 40 and up group in the family.

Such comments as "I have to go to the dentist AGAIN. Or "Such and such really works for arthritis (but I'm only 30! I'm listening to this for what reason?)
You sneezed! Let me put this linament on your feet. NOOOOOOO!!! I'm not sick. I just sneezed!

How about when everyone is trying to gripe at once and you need a referee?

I think its funny. Unless I've gotten to the eyelid twitch stage. Then its time to go home or get off the phone.

Enjoy the day! Its nice out!

Deb