Frazz by Jef Mallett for June 27, 2022

Some people are not happy unless they are unhappy.

That never slowed down the persistent complainers in MY experience!

That is a cosmic conundrum right there.

God help me, I understand that.

Being cranky helps when you’re trying to start a Model T…

And don’t even ask for an explanation.

When someone says that they “CAN’T complain” (and since I find it fun to take literally what someone says figuratively), my usual thought/response is “Can’t? Then you’re not trying hard enough.”

My husband is happiest when he has something to complain about.

I’m with Mrs. Olsen. Except I’m older and more experienced in that emotion.

Is she complaining that she can’t complain?

It’s partly frustration that some of the common problems in the world/local society have yet to be solved. Wouldn’t you think by now … ??

Eventually, I realized that the problem rests in the fact that the people/organizations entrusted to do that suffer from turnover that brings “new ideas” that are yet to be given time/funding to succeed.

Can’t or won’t?

The only way out is through.

Maybe Caufield will come by and help out the situation.

Sounds a bit like the classic Soviet-era (probably similar in Putin’s current Russia) joke, where a KGB agent is interrogating a person who applied to emigrate from the USSR. The agent asks, “Are you dissatisfied with your job?” the person responds, “Can’t complain.” “Are you dissatisfied with your house?” “Can’t complain.” “Are you dissatisfied with the government?” “Can’t complain.” “So why,” asks the KGB agent, “do you want to emigrate?” And the man answers, “I can’t complain.”

I LIKE Mrs. Olsen. She reminds me of my third grade teacher, Mrs. Smith. Except, I don’t think Mrs. Olsen is as far “out there” as Mrs. Smith was.

When ever I hear a couple of guys ask “how’s it going” “can’t complain” it is usually followed by “wouldn’t do any good anyhow”. Of course it doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a greeting between strangers.

Ah! Oh, don’t the days seem lank and longWhen all goes right and nothing goes wrong, And isn’t your life extremely flatWith nothing whatever to grumble at! Gilbert & Sullivan, Princess Ida

So, is there a hierarchy: cranky, complaining, bi7(#ing, raging, homicidal?

“I can’t complain, but sometimes I still do.”—Joe Walsh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXWvKDSwvls

I need to complain to be happy.

In my experience, the main reason people “can’t complain” is because they don’t have anyone else around to complain to. But as soon as someone (all too often, me) shows up, the “can’t” changes to “You wouldn’t believe all the complaints I’ve been storing up.”

Her favourite student isn’t there.

I WISH I had nothing to complain about.

Now we know why she likes Caulfield.

Is there a difference?