How to Deal with Complainers
I’ve found that the best way to deal with people who are complaining, particularly about others, is to simply ask them how they are.
A number of things may then happen. They might get angry, retorting, “of course I’m fine!”, or they might tell you what’s really bothering them, thus sidestepping the complaining.
Probably the last thing you want to do is acknowledge or worse respond to the complaining. This person came to you because they thought you’d either patiently listen or join in; they’ve already decided they’re in the right and a head-on approach is likely to meet with stiff resistance.
So rather than get into an argument, you assume that there’s clearly something else more serious bothering them and take that angle, refusing to even acknowledge whatever petty issues they were moaning about before.
If you’re the dramatic type you could try saying nothing and giving them a hug in front of everybody. If anything it will ensure they don’t pick you next time they’re itching to have a good moan!
