At times, we can get very overwhelmed by the emotions we are experiencing. Whether it’s good or bad, we often want to talk about it with someone. But when it comes to a situation that occurred between you and another person, where does the line fall between venting about someone and talking sh*t about that person? Let’s talk about it.
What is Venting?
Venting is a way to express frustration or other negative feelings about a situation. The focus of the conversation is on you, typically about how something unfolded or how it made you feel. When you vent, you are often seeking advice or a solution to the situation.
What is Talking Sh*t?
Talking Sh*t is when you speak negatively about a person’s character. It involves gossiping, rumours, making fun of someone, and general negativity towards a person’s characteristics. When talking sh*t, it focuses on the other person. It consists of “She is or He is” rather than “I felt”.
Is there a difference?
Personally, I think there is a difference. That is, you can vent about someone & not talk sh*t. The difference is in the choice of words and the focus/goal of the conversation. For example, “Vivian did X, Y, and Z. It made me feel sh*t”, is a form of venting. It doesn’t stray away from the main point, being the way Vivian’s actions made you feel. Versus saying “Vivian did X, Y, and Z. She always does this sh*t and continues to go on picking at Vivian and her character”, is a form of sh*t talking.
We all get overwhelmed with our emotions and sometimes we just need to talk about it. However, I acknowledge that not everyone sees the difference. The line that divides the two is very fine and oftentimes, people are venting but also sh*t talking at the same time. As a result, venting to the wrong person can result in the same consequences as sh*t talking.
So then, we are left with the question of whether there is a difference between venting and sh*t talking, if it often is combined when doing either? Let me know your thoughts below!