(nods) I've gotten better over the years at assuming sympathy until given an explicit cue for advice. My experience is that nobody in my personal life ever gets upset at me for not "solving" their problem.
had I had it earlier I might react differently. Unfortunately right now I have something of a reputation so people really do come to me to solve their problems. And I have learned to ask.
I often assume that women want sympathy and men want problem-solving, because that's what they usually give. This caused my husband to wail, "But I just want sympathy!" Oh. I guess everybody wants sympathy. :-)
Yep.
Date: 2010-01-07 05:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-07 06:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-07 06:38 pm (UTC)That's an interesting observation
Date: 2010-01-07 07:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-07 07:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-07 08:56 pm (UTC)I'm more likely to offer sympathy until someone asks for advice.
Our relationship joke
Date: 2010-01-07 09:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-08 12:07 am (UTC)