We all know nobody likes a whiner. But let’s be honest, there’s something strangely satisfying about sharing a few of life’s little miseries, especially once you’ve made it to Act III-land. It’s not about wallowing in the muck—it’s more like airing out your laundry, giving it a good shake to loosen up the wrinkles, and maybe, just maybe, finding someone who’ll chuckle with you about the whole thing.

But what, you might ask, makes a whine fine? I like to think it’s when you dig out a little nugget of wisdom along the way—something useful for next time, or maybe for someone else. It’s all about leaving the campground a little cleaner than you found it. A good whine might come right along with the grumble-inducing event, or, if you’re lucky, you might have to do a little digging to find it. Either way, it’s worth the effort. And I just might find a laugh waiting at the end of your search.