DR. JOHN'S CASE NOTES : THE QUIBBLER COMPLEX

This disorder can affect large numbers of bridge club players, who join the club with a wealth of managerial and professional experience. They all think they know best. They all believe that their opinions and views are correct. However the quibbler complex is far more likely to found in those members, who live on generous government pensions, with a civil service background, and who proudly claim to vote conservative. These are players who love their bridge, live in detached houses, and would never dream of turning up to the club in casual clothes.

The problem is that these people, having spent their whole lives involved with petty departmental politics, officialdom, bureaucracy and tedium, then become extremely prone to developing this condition. They criticise and nit-pick about everything. Detail no matter how small needs to be right and all the " i 's " correctly dotted. Part of the complex involves deluding themselves that they operate best as back-seat drivers, superbly qualified to make critical judgements and discerning comments on the shortcomings and inadequacies of players and committee members alike.

This particular cohort of victims will always make a point of attending all AGMs, simply to vent their spleen, off-loading personal criticisms through polite heckling and subtle bitching. They believe their vocal protests are purely motivated by their desire to steer the club in the right direction, or to put it in back on course. Moreover, all their letters of complaint form part of a concerted effort to ensure the club maintains its old traditions, high standards and strong moral values. They are particularly keen to expose any unacceptable behaviour , or practices, involving undesirable members, especially if they happen to be on the current committee.

Indeed, another delusion linked to this complex is the belief that they are above criticism and beyond reproach.

As the condition intensifies so does their determination to quibble over anything, which even remotely or mildly upsets them. The criticism that pours out, relentlessly chips and chisels away at members' credibility,

standing and reputation within the club. Needless to say should these quibblers ever be asked to take on the poisoned chalice of committee work, then the stock answer might be as follows :

" It is clear that the committee needs individuals like myself in order to function properly, but in my view there is much to consider before making a decision, which first needs to be approved in principle by those who might wish to vote me in. If I felt that some of their principles were sufficiently close to mine, then fundamentally in principle such a decision to put my name forward would be in every one's best interests. Mind you, if there are any conflicting principles which result in complex and finely balanced arguments, then in principle any decision to stand for committee would be seriously undermined. This unfortunately would necessitate further discussions with the rank and file club members with a view to preparing and proposing a revised set of principles on which there is common agreement, laying to waste any controversial matters where we do not see eye to eye...... "

As I mentioned only the other day to Bigot " Hell is other bridge players ".......or perhaps just those with the quibbler complex ?