I read somewhere that when they vent out about any topic, they are never looking for an answer from 'Us" If one of their friends has been mean or nasty to them, and we say, "then Stop Talking to her ", its the wrong answer. If her work is not treating her fairly because she didn't get the promotion, and we say. "Leave that job today and lets go find you a better one " That is the wrong answer. No matter what we say, it will not be the correct answer, I think they are often just looking for a soft shoulder and sympathy , not a solution. Just my 2 cents !!! of course I'm probably wrong!!!!