I expect it happens more often with old people because they have longer to collect horror stories. But seriously comparing suffering to get more Brownie points? Why would anyone want to outdo anyone on that battleground? Pity? Sympathy? What? I have heard women compare their childbirth experiences in such a way that any woman listening would NEVER want to give birth. I've heard folks talk about how much they suffered during chemo and how awful it was. They didn't mention that without it they would have died. There is no drama in that apparently. I do not understand why people have to vie for such distinction. Do you? I never will.
