Usually when someone is venting at me, I feel like I should respond somehow and say something, but I have no idea what that something could/should be. Is it better to just listen or try to comfort them in some way?

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[–] 9 points 3 years ago (2 children)

That last part is what I struggle with as someone whose mind always tries to see things from opposing perspectives whether I want it to or not.

Sometimes my wife will come home pissed off about something one of her coworkers said. She’ll tell me the story and I have learned the hard way that “I think your coworker had a point, because X” is not what she wants to hear from me.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 years ago

    It is definitely situational; someone coming home frustrated and venting, probably not the time to offer suggestions or counterpoints; but a casual conversation when hanging out, then folks are willing to discuss if something was right or wrong.

    I learned this the hard way from my wife over many years…

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