Wednesday 4 December 2013

Advice Part 89- The joys of complaining

In recent weeks, I have not been feeling my best, and, in an effort to improve my mood, I have decided to spend more time doing the things I like. And top of that list is complaining (yes, I understand that this probably isn't the first thing that people commonly think of as a "fun" activity, but bear with me....).


My advice to young players is that if something is annoying the hell out of you, then you should really consider making a complaint. But remember, complaining is a SERIOUS business, which needs to be done with aplomb and justified outrage; it is not be be attempted lightly or frivolously. 

How do I know this? Read on.....

I have always been someone who has a tendency to be, how shall I say it, "a bit negative". But for most of my existence, I have not made a fuss when things have gone badly, or when I feel that there is something wrong. However, earlier this year, for some unknown reason, a switch must have flicked in my brain, and I decided to start complaining when I feel I have a legitimate cause. 

This was a revelation for me. I realised that I actually ENJOY complaining and am quite good at it, if receiving apologetic answers is a mark of success. (I just realised that sounds REALLY arrogant- that's definitely not the tone I intended!)

In the past week, I have complained to the following organisations:
  •  My local council, because someone has dumped a big bag of junk outside my apartment block, and I want it cleaned up;

  • The Opera House, for insisting my mum cloak her handbag at an event we attended, whilst men with bigger backpacks were allowed to take theirs in with them (I even squeezed in a two-for-one "bonus complaint" with this one, because in the drop down list of titles on the complaint form, they did not have "Dr", and so I decided to whinge about that, too. SHAZAM!);

  • The bus company, for changing the timetable so that the bus leaves at EXACTLY the same time the train arrives, meaning that you always miss the bus, and have to wait 30 minutes for the next one;

  • The pathology lab, for not rostering enough staff on during morning peak time, resulting in a TWO HOUR WAIT for a simple blood test.

And it's only Thursday, so there's plenty more scope for complaints to come!

Sometimes I do worry about the fact that I get considerable enjoyment from penning outraged letters about issues that other people may consider to be petty. But I like to think of myself as providing a community service to businesses, by letting them know how they can improve. Although I will admit that those I complain to may not see it that way..... But if they're annoyed, they can always make their own complaint.