One tool for making the routine, ordinary occurrences of daily life more visible and available for investigation is disruption. Disruption can take a variety of forms. One of these is "abstention" or not doing the occurrence, in this instance "complaining." Kowalski (1996) defines complaining as "expressing discontent, dissatisfaction, protest, resentment, or regret" (p. 1). This investigation of abstention of corruption is based on the researcher's abstinence from any complaints of any kind for a period of sixty hours. The investigation will be analyzed across three different issues, (1) How abstaining altered daily interactions; (2) Whether abstaining was noticed by others; and (3) The socio-emotional ways I was bothered by abstaining. A conclusion will address the value of this investigation on disruption.
There were a number of ways abstaining from complaining altered my daily interactions. Typically, at breakfast, I complain because I rise later than others do and there is little left to eat by the time I rise. Not complaining about the lack of milk, cereal, or bread was a change for me. Ironically, this had a socio-emotional response in me. Instead of feeling angry or venting discontent, I focused on what I might eat instead and felt more positive about the experience. This altered behavior also made others notice something was missing from my morning routine. My mother said, "Can you believe it?" When my father asked "What," my mother replied, "No complaints from the peanut gallery today and we're nearly out of everything!" This showed me that complaining is one form of interaction that often builds bonds between individuals.
Another instance of not complaining altering my daily interactions occurred at the McDonald's. My friend and I often eat there and typically complain about our order not being right in one way or another. I specifically ordered a Big Mac with no onions and req...