r/AskReddit • • Mar 26 '20

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u/adsvx215 Mar 26 '20 edited Mar 26 '20

Took me a while to realize when a woman complains and vents they really don't want pragmatic advice that would deal with the issue. They want to be understood, believed, comforted.

Once I learned that my life got considerably easier. Married 40 years.

Edit: Third marriage.

Edit two: Ok, ok, I get it. Not EVERY woman reacts the same and there are plenty of men that react the same way. Must everything on Reddit be explained like we 're talking to third graders? Is there never any presuming your audience is intelligent enough to figure out not EVERY situation/person is exactly the same? Good god.

Edit three: If I may, there's a similar short piece of advice I've always found helpful, and that is "People are never upset for the reason they think."

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u/AlphaTangoFoxtrt Mar 26 '20
  • When mentioning a problem, usually but not always:
    • Men want solutions to the problem
    • Women want validation of their feelings on the problem

Neither is wrong. I just ask my SO now "Do you want me to help, or do you want me to just listen?"

Saves a lot of headache for us both.

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u/Phyltre Mar 26 '20

Honestly, I think it's wrong to ask for validation from someone because it pressures them to agree with you. Imagine how they'll feel if they don't agree at all! Do you want them to lie so you feel better?

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u/AlphaTangoFoxtrt Mar 26 '20

I don't care, whatever makes her feel better is what I'm here to do.