Pragmatic competence, or the ability to use language appropriately in a variety of contexts, is a critical skill for communication in a second language (L2). Thus, teaching that focuses on developing students' abilities to communicate effectively in an L2 must also include a focus on developing students' pragmatic competence. This article discusses issues related to pragmatics in general as well as specific pragmatic challenges one group of English as a second language (ESL) students in the United States faced when complaining in their L2. Next, activities for teaching the pragmatics of complaining are suggested. It is hoped that by highlighting specific problems with one group of students and presenting ways to address these issues, this article will encourage teachers to examine their own classes, discover their own students' pragmatic issues, and incorporate activities to teach pragmatics into their own classes.