Women: What is the difference between "venting" and "complaining"?

Question

I get really frustrated with women sometimes because I feel like they use the term "venting" as an excuse to complain as much as they want without acknowledging it, or being accountable for it. I'm not talking about the odd "venting" here and there, I mean regular, daily dumping of every little thought onto someone else, who may or may not be interested. I'm not all trying to be mean, and maybe I'm off base, and misunderstanding something, but I would really be interested in what the distinction is between the two concepts.

Great answers so far ladies, very appreciated.

Farmgirl: Wow that's graphic. I think if someone said that to me while I was drinking something I'd spray it everywhere.

Answer 1

Okay. For me venting is coming home after a long hard day and just giving you a rundown of the massive amount of crap I had to deal with. I don't want you to help. You don't even have to listen if you are good at pretending. Once I'm done, I'm done.
complaining is more constant, more all day about anything....whining, really. There is a difference.

Answer 2

I think venting is what you do when you're angry and you just can't hold it in anymore.

Complaining is more whiney.

Here's a vent: I HATE Betsy! She's such a lying, cheating, conniving little biatch! She can't keep her mouth shut and she's constantly getting into other people's business. Plus she has a HUGE @SS and a nasty fat belly which she flops all over the place when she dances, but she obviously thinks she's hot! I wish she'd just fall into a vat of boiling oil! I'd just love to see her charred skin peeling off her body!

and a complaint: Betsy's so meeaannn. She's always being mean to me. Sniff. I hate it when she does that. Why won't she just leave me alone? Couldn't you just ground her or something? Make her be nice to me!

Answer 3

venting is complaining about something that another person did to them and complaining is telling the person who made them made. If you upset me and i talked to you about it and we got in a heated argument that is complaining then a little while later I talk to a friend about it then I am venting..... because I am not mad at the person i am venting on. Venting is used so the argument doesn't continue.

Answer 4

If it's everyday, that's complaining. Complaints are usually something we do when we feel helpless to solve the problem, or expect someone else to. Venting is when we list every little thing bugging us just before we go kick some butt. (literally, or figuratively)

Answer 5

This has been a problem from the beginning of time. Men and woman speaking and understanding differently.
You are right to feel the way you do. Confused, angry, frustrated, etc.
It may be just easier to understand that. We are different creatures, so put up with it only as long as you desire the woman. After that, hunt her down and kill her.

Answer 6

venting means she just needs you to listen because if she doesn't whine abuot it to someone she's going to explode... complaining means she wants something done about it.. i.e. saying " I hate doing the dished" is venting saying "How come you don't ever do the dishes" is complaining... see? the first one she's just bit*ching to bit*ch, the later.... she wants to know why you won't and when will you do dishes!!!! Do you see what I'm saying?

Answer 7

Do you mean bitching? I guess venting is a little bitching and complaining is alot of bitching.

Answer 8

same as a conservative and a douchebag

Answer 9

same as a liberal and a communist