For me happiness comes.. last! I prefer to be honest, fair, mature, responsible, constructive, creative, etc and if there is room for happiness is ok but if not "not big deal!"

I think Bobby McFerrin said it best:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=yjnvSQuv-H4

Dear Diploman,

There are many reasons why people criticise
others or complain in general. Some are justified
as Ludwig mentioned, others are not.
There are instances when we should complain,
when we see wrongs being committed, as the
old adage says, "Bad things happen when good
people do nothing..." (or words to that effect).

However, it's sheer mean-spirited to tear down
something just for the sake of doing it. (as in
the Tall Poppy syndrome).

I agree with you, our society would be so much
better if we all took the time to think, before
we act, or in this case, complain.

But I don't see the world changing anytime soon.

cont'd

I just remembered an old saying:

"Smile, and the world smiles with you.

Cry, and they pay to watch."

Take care.

I'm with you Kartiya Jim

Injustices occur when good men say nothing.

Let 'em have it - it's therapeutic, unless one has a desire to be loved by everyone.

Graft and corruption thrives on the politeness and the timidity of others. Speak up.

As for simple courtesies, I recall a back-packing trip to Italy where I rang a buzzer for access to a rather exclusive looking boutique.

I witnessed behind the glass door, two very well-groomed assistants who reluctantly let me in where they continued babbling in Italian and giving me the dirty looks.

"Hmmm. Had I stepped in a mound of doggy doo?" I pondered to myself.

"Bon Giorno. Parla Englese?" I enquired politely

"No!" they replied in unison.

Some minutes elapsed and the seemingly frantic, Italian babbling continued whilst I looked at the clothing.

No longer able to endure a trashed-out, shabby looking tourist in her boutique, the younger one resorted to addressing me in perfect English:

'Madam, we do not have anything for Y...O....U....!'

To which I replied:

"Ah.....you speak English Madam and with such arrogance. But alas, you are only a shop girl!"