It’s incredibly British to have a whinge about the weather or the price of a pint — complaining is a national pastime!
However, there’s a line between a bit of banter and being a right pain in the you-know-what. If you’re constantly banging on about these things, it might be time to take a hard look in the mirror and ask yourself if you need to grow up a bit.
1. You’re still fuming about that time someone nicked your parking spot.
It happened weeks ago, but you’re still going on about it. Yeah, it was annoying, but holding on to that anger isn’t doing you any favours. Life’s too short to be getting your knickers in a twist over something so trivial, so let it go. There’ll be plenty more parking spots in your future.
2. You can’t stand it when your food touches on the plate.
Unless you’ve got a genuine allergy or intolerance, making a fuss about your peas touching your mash is a bit silly. It all ends up in the same place anyway, doesn’t it? If this is still bothering you past the age of 10, it might be time to get over it. You’re not going to starve if your carrots brush up against your chicken.
3. You’re always moaning about having to do the washing up.
Nobody likes doing the dishes, but it’s just part of being an adult. If you’re living with other people and constantly trying to weasel out of your share of the housework, you’re being ridiculous. Put on your big boy (or girl!) pants, grab a sponge, and get on with it. It’s not going to kill you.
4. You get all huffy when someone doesn’t text back straight away.
People have lives, you know. Just because they haven’t replied to your message within five minutes doesn’t mean they’re ignoring you or that something terrible has happened. They might be busy, or their phone might be on silent. Take a deep breath and find something else to do while you wait. The world doesn’t revolve around your inbox.
5. You’re forever going on about how music was better in your day.
Every generation thinks their music was the best, but constantly harping on about how everything on the radio is rubbish now just makes you sound like a grumpy old git. Music changes, tastes evolve. Instead of complaining, why not try exploring some new tunes? You might surprise yourself and find something you like.
6. You whinge about having to queue for things.
Queuing is practically a national sport in Britain. If you’re still throwing a wobbly every time you have to wait in line, you need to sort yourself out. Bring a book, scroll through your phone, or strike up a conversation with the person next to you. Complaining isn’t going to make the queue move any faster.
7. You’re always going on about how tired you are.
Newsflash: everyone’s knackered. Between work, social lives, and trying to keep up with the latest Netflix series, we’re all running on fumes. Constantly moaning about how exhausted you are isn’t going to earn you any sympathy points. If you’re that tired, maybe it’s time to look at your sleep habits instead of boring everyone with your yawning.
8. You get all stroppy when your favourite team loses.
It’s just a game, for crying out loud. If you’re still sulking days after your team’s been knocked out of the cup, you might need to reassess your priorities. By all means, be passionate about your sport, but remember it’s meant to be fun. Don’t let it ruin your week.
9. You can’t stop complaining about the weather.
Yes, we know it’s raining. Again. Welcome to Britain. If you’re still shocked by the fact that our weather is about as reliable as a chocolate teapot, you might want to consider moving to the Bahamas. The rest of us have accepted it and learned to carry a brolly at all times. It’s not ideal, but it’s not the end of the world either.
10. You’re always moaning about how expensive everything is.
Source: Unsplash Inflation’s a pain, I get it, but if you’re constantly banging on about the price of a pint or how much your shopping costs, you’re not exactly bringing joy to the conversation. Instead of whinging, why not look for ways to save money or find better deals? It’s more productive than just complaining about it.
11. You get all worked up about social media drama.
If you’re losing sleep over who liked whose post or what someone said in a comment thread, it’s time to step back and get some perspective. Social media isn’t real life. Don’t let it wind you up so much. If it’s causing you that much grief, maybe it’s time for a digital detox.
12. You’re forever complaining about your job, but never doing anything about it.
We all have bad days at work, but if you’re constantly moaning about your job without taking any steps to improve your situation, you’re just being a bit of a wet blanket. Either find ways to make your current job better or start looking for a new one. Whinging about it day in, day out isn’t going to change anything.
13. You get all stroppy when your favourite snack is out of stock.
It’s disappointing when the shop’s run out of your go-to biscuits, but it’s hardly the end of the world, is it? If you’re throwing a tantrum in the middle of Asda because they don’t have your preferred flavour of crisps, you might need to take a long, hard look at yourself. There are bigger problems in the world, mate.
14. You’re always banging on about how you’re “too old” for things.
Age is just a number, innit? If you’re constantly using your age as an excuse not to try new things or have fun, you’re missing out. You’re never too old to learn a new skill, start a new hobby, or have a dance. Stop using your age as a crutch and get out there and live a little.
15. You get in a right tizzy when your phone battery is low.
It’s not the end of the world if your phone dies. People managed just fine before mobile phones were invented. If you’re having a meltdown because you’ve forgotten your charger, you might need to reassess your relationship with technology. Take it as an opportunity to look up from your screen and engage with the world around you.
16. You’re always complaining about how busy you are.
Everyone’s busy these days. If you’re constantly going on about how you don’t have time for anything, you’re not impressing anyone. You’re just coming across as a bit of a martyr. Instead of complaining about your packed schedule, maybe look at ways to manage your time better or learn to say no to things.
17. You get all huffy when your food order isn’t exactly right.
Unless they’ve given you something you’re allergic to, kicking up a fuss because your burger came with gherkins when you asked for them to be left off is a bit much. Pick them off and get on with your meal. No need to ruin everyone’s dinner over a pickle. If it’s a genuine mistake, politely let the staff know. But throwing a wobbly over it? That’s just childish.
