I've had this happen quite a few times to me, and I've come to the best question for this.

"Do you want to just vent or would you like advice?"

Some people just need to get it off their chest and talk to something, IT professionals call this The Rubber Duck Effect, helps them work through the problem by explaining it to someone else. Asking if they'd like advice or just vent lets you know what kinds of questions to ask. You do still need to be listening but hopefully this helps!

Gender is somewhat relevant here-- according to my women studies course in uni. When women are describing a problem, they don’t usually want solutions. They want support, understanding, & sympathy, contrary to the typical male response which is to give advice & propose solutions, which then has a good chance of ending badly.

In general, the best is to show that you listen and that you care. Sometimes trying to comfort them is good, but this depends so much on the person and situation that it's hard to generalise.

If they're venting and don't want advice, just show fellow feeling.

• man that blows
• why would they think that's a good idea?!
• they're such dicks
• how did they think you were going to react?!
• etc. You can also ask questions to help the person unload more, or to understand what's made them so mad they need to vent. You're not trying to fix a problem. You're trying to help your friend scream into the void and feel heard and supported. Especially if they don't feel heard at the source of their problem.

For me, one reason that I get frustrated with advisors is that they offer level one of advice when I've already tried levels one - three hundred of solutions. I feel slightly condescended to, and then I have to tactfully explain why their solution isn't feasible. Then I end up feeling like a dick for shooting down their help. Or, I can nod, smile, say thanks, that's a good idea, and walk away still feeling unheard and misunderstood.

Personally, I find that people are most in need of someone to listen to them and validate their feelings. Don’t have to fix it. That was always a mistake I made in the past. I’m a fixer. If I see a problem, it’s my problem and I need to fix it. Just listen and be supportive.

Depending on your relationship with the person, it’s also sometimes okay to challenge distortions or exaggerations. My partner has started doing that for me and it’s been really helpful to reframe my problems.

Generally listening is best but there’s no universal answer to a question like this. People are complex. Some people want to be consoled, some people want feedback, some people want to be challenged, etc

But a general first line of defense is hear them out, comfort when appropriate, and don’t make it about you (“oh that’s crazy it’s like this one time I…”)

Just say contextually appropriate listening-interjections that validate their feelings. Things like, “WTF?” “Rude!” “How awful,” “Oof that’s stressful,” a disapproving hmmm, etc.

Imagine you’re a dustpan without a bottom: the dust of their venting gets swept in, but falls right back out without sticking to anything. Most importantly, don’t try to fix their feelings. That’s not your job. Your job is to meet them where they are, as they are. (And if, for whatever reason, you can’t, I’ve used the phrasing of, “I’m really sorry, but I can’t be a good audience for that. Do you need suggestions for finding other support?”)

"Uh huh" "Yeah" "Wow" "Uh oh" "Daaamn..." and "Holy fuck!" are my general go-tos.

"That's rough buddy."

For more useful advice, see all the other comments.

The main thing is that you don't pull attention. Don't try to share stories about similar things you've gone through immediately, start like others have said - noises that indicate you're listening. Look up reflective listening skills and do those things.

If they seem to want advice, you can ask, "Hey, I don't wanna give you any advice if you don't want it. I can keep just listening, but your (pause / frustration / whatever) makes it seem like you might be looking for a possible solution ..." And then see what they say.

Listen and be supportive. If you feel the need to solve, of think they are looking for a solution, ask. "Are you venting or looking for advice?"

It is really important to ask before offering advice/solutions, because doing so can make someone feel like you are trivializing their problem, or that they can't solve it themselves.

I think the best response is to acknowledge their feelings, like "that must've sucked" "yeah I can see how that is frustrating", because that is usually what venting is about, to have someone sympathise with you so you don't bottle it all up.

I find that it's good to ask questions that allow them to vent further.

I agree with most of the posts here. It's best to just listen and try to mirror imo. However I find it can be so difficult because I don't want to ..... Sound like a bot. Like I don't want to just keek saying the same thing over and over or just repeat their words.

"I'm sorry this happened." "That really sucks."

I end up feeling like an NPC with 3 dialogue choices being spammed.

But otherwise I do try my best just to simply listen and sympathize.

I don't know if it's the "right" thing to do, if there's ever one right thing... But I usually offer something that validates their feelings, like "That really sucks," or "They sound like a jerk." Only if it's someone I know well and I can read what they're looking for, I might then comfort, offer advice, or talk about something to cheer them up.

Empathy over sympathy definitely helps. I've learned to just keep my mouth shut because I want to help fix things or provide some logic.

Asking them some genuine non-confrontational questions about their feelings or possible solutions to the situation usually works fine for me. I feel like people often vent about situations where they feel kinda helpless. Questions from you could help them not only to feel seen/heard, but also to switch to a more “proactive” state of mind where the source of venting could start looking like a problem with possible solutions.

Other times people just want to vent for the sake of venting and want no input from you whatsoever. Just let them.

I've heard something recently that can help.

If you aren't sure you can ask the person do you want me to offer advice, get mad on your behalf, or just listen.

Obviously depends how well you know the person, but you can consider what they normally want. I don't have a more elegant way of asking though.

Ask them. "You sound angry/sad/frustrated" are you just wanting to vent? Because I can relate to that feeling and I'm all ears."

You should react, at least lol. But you need to consider that most folks aren’t looking for advice. Rather, they need a validation of their experience.

Better to say “Wow, that really sucks” or “That’s crazy!”.

Maybe ask a followup question the to show that you’re listening, “well, what happened after?” or “what are going to do next?” End with “Thanks for sharing that with me, I know it’s not easy”.

Do not say, “you should try X or Y” unless they explicitly ask.

It’s a weird concept for me, cause when my wife vents - I hear a problem and I want to offer solutions. But I gotta fight that instinct.

Lots of great responses so far. I like to go with:

I hear you

Obviously they know my ears work but I want them to know that I am focused and connected.

Lots of excellent answers here but I just wanted to add that a therapist explained to me that there are active listeners and passive listeners and people generally fit one category over another. I’m an active listener: you tell me something is wrong and I’m going to try and help you fix it. Even the unfixable. This can be useful in a lot of situations, but it can also be off putting for the “complainer” if they’re just looking to get something off their chest. Some people need to vent more than others. They simply need to say the words and get it out there and they’re not asking for a solution. It can seem insensitive when an active listener tries to interject with fixes.

On the other side are the passive listeners, like my partner. I complain to him and he doesn’t try and help me fix the situation, he simply listens to me rant and gives me a hug, or a “that’s shit”. I used to find it really frustrating when I was younger because I’m kind of type A - I always want to be doing something, anything to feel a bit more in control. I interpreted his passive listening as being uncaring which wasn’t the case.

Understanding what type of listener I was and learning to identify (or ask if in doubt) what the person complaining was looking for, really improved my relationships. I still don’t find passive listening particularly easy but I’m much better at it now. And if I’m complaining to someone and they don’t react the way I wanted/was expecting I’m not at all annoyed with them, I just speak to someone else who I know is more like to be an active listener or whatever it is I need at the time. We can’t be all things to all people, and no one person can meet all of your needs all of the time. And that’s ok.

I find that it's best to speak minimally. Let them speak, that's why they're venting. If you do speak, you should avoid inserting your own opinions or your experiences, because that could come off as derailing the conversation or changing the subject. If you do speak, it should be to encourage them to continue speaking their mind.

Once they get it all out of their system, I think that's the point when you can really start to offer your thoughts and respond to what they said

I don't think there's really any one universal best answer, really. I agree with the idea that mirroring is the most fundamental answer. I try to ask questions too, where appropriate.

It depends on the person, but what you definitely shouldn't do is disagree or try to correct them. Not because they can't be wrong, but because they came to you to have someone hear their problems. I think advice should be given later, in a different conversation, or if asked for. Agreement or confirmation that you're listening and understand are best.

Now if they aren't sharing their problems, but are instead just ranting at you about something you disagree with, feel free to tell them how dumb they are.

I'm not sure if I should say anything to comfort OP in some way.

I always ask "do you want help with that?"

If they're talking nonstop, they don't want input. If they're not, this is the question I ask. Most of the time they just want to be heard, but not always.

I think it’s generally best to just empathize and validate their feelings. My go to is “that sounds really frustrating” or just repeat back their feelings. I’d in their vent they say they are sad, repeat back “that seems like it would be sad”

Depending on you’re relationship with them, I think you can first validate, but then ask “what are you going to do” or “how are you going to handle it”

You can also ask “are you just wanting to vent or do you also want advice”

But unsolicited advice is rarely appreciated. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and everyone things everyone else’s stinks.

Learn from this guy's mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4EDhdAHrOg

Your best course of action is typically going to be active listening and being a sounding board. Don't try to give advice or analyze the situation unless they specifically ask you to and simply affirm their feelings.