There’s always one.
Often they are an elder…could be an uncle, maybe a grand-parent or sometimes even a parent.
They always find something to complain about. There is always something going on that they don’t enjoy and wish wasn’t happening.
There are people around them that they don’t like and they make no efforts to hold back on their criticism of that poor soul.
How do you handle such a personality?
How does their immediate family handle them?
Avoiding them isn’t an option…
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
You stay as far away as possible… If they complain then politely say that you really want to be positive right now.
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
You stay as far away as possible… If they complain then politely say that you really want to be positive right now.
Avoiding them isn't an option.
ive learned that such ppl cant change their views so debating with em is pointless
i say “haan yeh tho hai” like a broken record over and over again after every statement or complaint and wait for the rant to be over
if its something to do with the food being offered, i say “chalo koi nahi, next time” to whatever they are upset about…
just say anything that wont require too much mental strain, loss of energy in talking… and wont elongate the complaint any further.
:hinna:
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
good idea…I would recommend that same.
it’s painful to watch them though…just wonder what their life would/could be like if they had a better approach…
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
you get them a kitten. it really works, i saw it in a few movies.
Or have them watch movies about people having cats as pets. That seems to be working too.
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
Best is to not take their words very seriously, I'm sure they don't even know what they are saying themselves. Kuch logon ko waise hi har baat par bina soche comment karne ki adat hoti hai. Keeping their age and nature of relationship in mind, I would just ignore or do as Khawateen, just nod and move on. It's really not worth the heart or headache :)
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
Ignore and avoid. In one ear and out the other. You can't confront them about it. It doesn't work. They lay a guilt trip on you if you do. Ji Ji kehte raho and keep doing your thing!
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
i have noticed that some of them respond to compliments and discreet charm.
generally however there is no handling, just getting through it. :\
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
Some r cantankerous by nature. Got to complain about everything. To me it's the polar opposite that is more disturbing. The ones who would do dadabadalities and when confronted be cheerful and go - what me?
PS poster no 9 u r out of control
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
learn to love it. esp if it is an old person. I did, and i was amply rewarded, that person changed towards me completely and stayed the same with the rest
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
Nod my head and then point my sister out so they go and harass her :D
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
I think the best is to let them be and hope that someday they have a life experience that teaches them some positivity. Like khawa said, I wouldn't indulge such a person with an argument. If you know it's their personality and they can't help themselves, just learn not to take their comments seriously.
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
There's always one. Often they are an elder.....could be an uncle, maybe a grand-parent or sometimes even a parent. They always find something to complain about. There is always something going on that they don't enjoy and wish wasn't happening. There are people around them that they don't like and they make no efforts to hold back on their criticism of that poor soul.
How do you handle such a personality? How does their immediate family handle them? Avoiding them isn't an option.....
R u referring to "the" famous guppan?
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
Cantankerous (ness) knows no age limit. Very few r not cantankerous once in a while. Even here I can count on my fingers those who maintain their calm - no, passive aggressive behavior doesn't count. When discussion centers around politics or religion, majority are perpetually cantankerous.
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
Avoid, completely.
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
i have noticed that some of them respond to compliments and discreet charm. generally however there is no handling, just getting through it. :\
such a true observation! I've also found that by being condescending, these folks are often just looking for validation for their own behaviour.....
learn to love it. esp if it is an old person. I did, and i was amply rewarded, that person changed towards me completely and stayed the same with the rest
what if it's not an old person? :D
R u referring to "the" famous guppan?
nope....not referring to anyone specific.
Avoid, completely.
what if you can't?
Re: That Cantankerous Person In Your Life
So those of you going bonkers trying to devise a coping mechanism for us, here is a little insight into our thought process:
for new acquaintances: We start off by hating everyone (except parents/siblings/close family...I am telling you those who hate even family are definitely not one of us harmless curmudgeons) while leaving a wee bit of a wiggle room for the other person to change our perception. Sometimes it can be through a genuine smile or humility and other times not even a whole lot of niceties can make us look past the chicanery.
for family: Seriously! I am not one of those crazies to hate family!
Now if you are an easy-on-eyes kind of person of the opposite sex, just a prolonged eye contact has worked to rectify this ailment...in me at least.
ps. All meant to be tongue in cheek before anyone decides to debate this with me.
