Kvetching, the Highest Stage of Capitalism

Gwen avocado (attribution), photographer unknown, n.d.

“Is this truth I’m delivering up, or is it just plain kvetching? Or is kvetching for people like me a form of truth?”

– Philip Roth, Portnoy’s Complaint,1969

Form and content of the expat’s kvetch

Harriet knew it would happen eventually but was surprised it was so soon. Barely six months since our expatriation, she noticed I had begun to kvetch. (Harriet is gentile but learned the Yiddish word early in our relationship.) My complaints take the following...