Why the elderly or elderly seem to complain or whine more than young people. At least, that’s what most people think. People over 65 are quickly dismissed as nagging people that we don’t want to listen to. But is this true? Who complains more and why does it seem like older people complain more?
What is complaining and whining?
Complaining and whining are two concepts that we find annoying. Complaining is expressing a complaint, for example because the neighbor’s dog barks at night. Nagging means repeating this complaint over and over again. People who are not heard in their complaints quickly turn to whining. Complaining and whining are therefore inextricably linked.
The Dutch are a complaining people
You think old people (or elderly people) always complain and whine? You also complain and whine a lot without realizing it. Complaining about the bus or train being late, about the bad weather, about politics, about work, about the neighbors and so on. People complain and whine a lot in their lives. It is also typical for the Dutch people: we complain more than other countries. The Netherlands was almost the richest country in the world in 2012. This placed it in second place. Only in Luxembourg did residents earn more: more than 174 percent of the average. Precisely because the Dutch are doing well, we complain more. Because those who are used to a luxurious life always want more.
Why do old people always complain and whine?
Older people seem to complain more because they come from a different era. In the 19th century there may have been less luxury, but there was more help from outside. It was easier to leave your front door open and neighbors regularly came to offer their help. There was no internet and communication took place via normal social channels: directly in front of someone. It is precisely that social part that many elderly people miss. Nowadays everything has to be done via the internet at the very least. The elderly can no longer keep up with this. Technology is developing at a rapid pace. Fiber optic, WhatsApp, pinging, the technology continues to develop and one thing follows another. More and more companies are only easily accessible via social media. And while most elderly people have difficulty sending an email. It is therefore not surprising that many elderly people are left behind and feel lonely in this fast-paced world. And that involves complaining.
Everything was better in the past
A frequently heard cry from the elderly: everything was better in the past! It wasn’t really better, but it felt better. A working week used to have many longer hours and no attention was paid to working conditions. Health was certainly not the priority. Poison was sprayed because people did not know any better, and carcinogenic substances were ingested without knowing the risks. There were hardly any traffic fatalities due to the little traffic there was. People used to have less worries due to ignorance. Nowadays we have to pay attention to everything. Is it healthy and responsible? Although people are living longer these days, concerns about health have also increased drastically. That’s why everything used to seem better. Partly because of the help that one could expect from everyone in the past. In today’s world where it’s every man for himself, it comes across as a worse world.
No time to listen to the elderly
Another reason why we find the elderly complaining: we don’t have time to listen to the elderly. It often takes more effort for older people to express themselves or put something into words. Memory deteriorates and speaking speed slows down with age. But in this fast-paced society, few people have time to sit down and listen. We prefer to play with our smartphone, ultrabook, notebook or any new piece of technology. In addition, few people take the time to solve problems. A dispute between neighbors is quickly resolved through the police or even the media. A good conversation is often no longer possible.
Complaining is personal dissatisfaction
People who complain a lot, even if it is only about the weather, often do so out of personal dissatisfaction. Happy people complain much less. Those who are well off and satisfied with what they have will also complain much less about others. The trick is often to listen to complaining people a little longer and find out what the real problem is. Also in the elderly.