Current Events > In your own words; explain the difference between complaining and criticizing

(+) Yeah! (+)

I see way too many people online and IRL who dunno the difference or thinks they are one and the same.

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complaining is more visceral

Complaint = "Are we there yet?"
Criticism = "You should have taken that shortcut"

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Complaint: youre a douche!
criticism: you are a douche because, . . .

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Or, to put it even more succinctly:

Complaint = "This sucks!"
Criticism = "Here's how it could have been better"

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mustachedmystic posted...

Complaint: youre a douche!
criticism: you are a douche because, . . .

I don't think this is it

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Theres a variety of different definitions for each of these terms, so youre really not asking a simple question. Criticism comes in valid, invalid, negative, and positive forms. Complaints can be justified or no. Thats why god invented contextual adjectives.

Essentially, these are labels for the behavior and action of pointing out a problem or otherwise highlighting room for improvement. Theres no difference. I can be writing a game review and say, One complaint I have is.... ~ and its actually a criticism or critique. I can be third-wheeling some musicians fanbase because Im salty about some other musician not getting as much air & be presenting my arguments as criticism... but really Im just complaining and whacking around the bush. So yeah

Those are some examples

What about giving feedback? Is that different from these two as well? Let's have you guys detail this.

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Complaining is either hot or cold

Criticizing is lukewarm

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Complaining - Being person A, talking to Person C (who has no influence) about what Person B is doing wrong

Criticizing - Being person A, talking to Person B (or someone who can directly influence person B) about what Person B is doing wrong
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complaining is whining
criticism is a pointed attack

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Complaining - When others criticize me

Criticizing - When I complain about others

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Prestoff posted...

Complaining - When others criticize me

Criticizing - When I complain about others

This is it

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Moderates criticize. Extremists complain.

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criticism can be constructive and help improve the situation.

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Complaining is just expressing displeasure about basically anything. You can complain that the day is hot, but I doubt you would criticize the sun for making it so.

Now somebody says "It's cold af in this office. They should keep it warmer in here." This is obviously a complaint, but is it really a critique? Maybe.

Now somebody else says "Several people in the office next door have complained to their boss that it is too cold in their office, but nothing was done. A boss should better listen to their employees." I think something like that would fall into the criticism category.

The distinction is not that important, though. It seems this topic is just complaining about people who would disguise their complaints as "criticism." Or he is criticizing those people.

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Jabodie posted...

It seems this topic is just complaining about people who would disguise their complaints as "criticism."

Correct

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