Complaining versus having an opinion

It's been brought to my attention lately that I complain a lot. Didn't really think of myself as much of a complainer, but hearing this from someone who knows me pretty well, I take stock.

I do like to comment on a lot of things and I see how my negative comments can be taken as complaining. Like how the steak is overcooked, how google+ randomly inserts unsolicited posts in my stream, how cold it is in my house... In my view, I'm just voicing an opinion.

Which got me thinking, is there a difference between giving a negative opinion and complaining? In both cases you are sharing a negative view about something, but I think the difference is that the latter is accompanied with a desire for recompense, whether from the subject or some unknown power. It is told as if someone owes you something.

All the same, I will pay attention to what I say over the next few days to see if this is true. 

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