To complain all the time?

[ivanapoo]

I am gathering a reputation for complaining about things going wrong, poor service, faulty products etc. I went for a manicure a few days ago and the beautician managed to file the skin on my finger leaving what is now a slightly painful scab. (first world problems, I know)

I asked a friend if I should complain and she replied "knowing you, you will anyway!"

Another time we'd ordered takeaway and it was an hour late arriving. I wanted to phone up the restaurant and tell them they were out of order but my friends said no.

I also phoned my local supermarket after a product was faulty. It wasn't an expensive thing. They send me a voucher to say sorry and I was actually secretly pleased with myself...

AIBU? I guess most people just let it go and think I'm a massive annoying busybody with too much time on my hands...

I'm actually quite a positive, laid back person and don't make an unwarranted fuss but I do just tend to speak up when something is wrong.

I would have complained about those things too. Why wouldn't you?

I complain for things like that too, some people wont, but if we want it to be any different they need to know what's wrong.

I also praise good service etc though.

I do too . I try to only moan about something to the person that can change it or on MN obvs. So rather than whinging for days about crappy service, I'll complain to the manager or person involved and move on. In theory.

Bad service makes me cross, that's all

I'd complain for those things too. I have plenty of time on my hands though.

Perhaps just don't tell your friends when you have had a reason to complain, if they are not there at the time.

I don't think you are doing anything wrong, but as ABat says, praise the good too, that way your reputation won't be as a complainer all the time.

If you dont complain you dont get freebies lol

There is nothing unreasonable about complaining about bad service. I think it's far more unreasonable to expect other people to suck it up just because you don't want to complain.

Yabu about the manicure as sometimes it can't be helped and if its only that but a good overall finish is it really worth it? But anything else feel free to complain. i to have and would complain not that they listen especially takeaway company's. But if I've paid for a service or a product regardless of its price thats hard earned cash! And i want my monies worth. I say go for it

my sis does this All the time. shes not happy unless she is complaining. her holidya is ruined if there isnt anything to complain about.

i just think lifes too short to be constantly looking for things that arent worth bothering with.

for example, i got a car a few years ago, not new but i was chuffed with it. she got in it and said.. whats that noise? i said what noise?

she said that noise.
i said i cant hear anything other than normal car noises
she said my DH took our car back to the garage for a rattle like that. he made then find it and fix it.

there was nothing wrong with the car!

JustForMe do you live in Oxford? :) There's a customer who comes to our restaurant regularly and complains every single time - clearly because she just wants free shit. If she could read our minds when she walks through the door... ;)

As far as I'm concerned, if I think a product or service is substandard, I just exercise my choice not to use it any more and to seek an alternative instead.

If more people complained legitimately, customer service and goods might well improve.

I'm a complainer or come up with suggestions. I was in our local huge Sainsbo's a year ago and my mother (88) was cut by something, bleeding profusely and she felt a bit weak. A first aider came and mopped it up but that was all. There was no would you like to sit down or would you like a cup of tea. I wrote suggesting that perhaps a chair should be available for people to sit down on when they feel ill. Next time I went, there were four chairs there - and they are being used. Having a say does work.

You sound normal to me!
I get irritated by people who moean to me about things but won't complain to the right people/places.

noting wrong with complaining, but you will get a reputation, with your firends, with companies, with tradespeople, who wont come and fix your roof when it leaks cos they know you'll complain and its not worth thier effort...

not judging... just saying

Complaining is fine, but do you praise when you get good service? Do you ring/write to managers to tell them their staff are performing well? If not, then your friends are right I'm afraid!

YANBU at all. I think everyone should complain if something isn't right. Why put up with substandard service/goods/treatment?

whatsallthefuss, so are you saying then that people should put up with service or goods that aren't up to standard so they don't get a reputation?

ChitChatFlyingby When service is above and beyond, I always mention it to the available manager. No point in keeping that information to yourself, either.

How are they supposed to know what need putting right if nobody tells them?

Oh I agree ThisIsANickname - but so many people only complain and never praise.

It depends on how you do it of course - a whingey entitled complainer with a face like a smacked arse isn't going to get as much response as someone who is friendly and pleasant whilst making their complaint.

And I think sometimes it's OK to let small things go - people do make mistakes and that's OK too as long as it's not all the time. I'd say the manicure might fall into that category.

I guess it comes down to whether you find it too much hassle - I generally do unless it is something that has seriously inconvenienced me and then I will say something.

YANBU. I think of it all as feedback ? and if I come across particularly good products or service, I give feedback on that as well. I wouldn't say I complain about anything petty and I'm always polite and keep it non-personal as much as possible. People who moan about service or goods and then shrug if you suggest that they contact the company involved and say things like 'What can you do?' really get on my nerves.

no i'm not saything that you should put up with substandard anything.

i dont
but i can go into the same restaurant with my sister and order the same meal.
mine will be delicious and hers will be substandard, and she will take it back

we will go on the same holiday and share a room.
i will like the room and quite happily stay there, she will complain until she gets an upgrade

i will complain, but somehow i find less to complain about

"i will complain, but somehow i find less to complain about" yy.

It's a matter of opinion though whatsallthefuss.

Just because you are more easily pleased than your sister it doesn't make you right and her wrong, it just means you have differing standards. IMO everyone is entitled to make a complaint if they feel it is justified.

People who complain purely to get bonuses or free stuff really annoy me as well.