When I tell people that I’ve taken a challenge to not complain or gossip for 21 days, I often get questions about what is complaining or gossiping anyway?
My definitions:
Complain: Complaining is when you talk about a problem for the sake of talking about it. It may include blaming circumstances or other people. There is little to no talk about a solution, and usually no willingness to live the solution.
Gossip: Gossip cannot occur in a vacuum. Gossiping is the act of two or more people talking about another person or group of people that are not present for the conversation, and therefore unable to defend themselves. Gossiping is often done in the spirit of feeling superior to the person(s) being talked about or to. For instance, it may “feel good” to know some bit of juicy information before anyone else and can make the messenger feel smart for knowing it first.
Dictionary Definitions:
Complain (from www.dictionary.com)
1. to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault: He complained constantly about the noise in the corridor.
2. to tell of one’s pains, ailments, etc.: to complain of a backache.
3. to make a formal accusation: If you think you’ve been swindled, complain to the police.
Gossip (from www.dictionary.com)
to talk idly, esp. about the affairs of others; go about tattling.
What do these words mean to you?