At a certain point in your life, when something bothers you, this is the first question you ask yourself: Is what I’m irritated by a legitimate problem, or am I just a grouchy old crackpot?

Often, it’s unclear. Which is why you should always have a friend around who is equally cranky and irritable — or, even better, just a touch more of both — to share your complaints with. Call it a Bad Attitude Solidarity System. You both pledge to support each other in a recital of the litany of annoyances and outrages we put up with every day but also promise to reel each other in if either one of you gets to the get off my lawn! level of old man behavior.