question

[low_delta]

So how should I feel about a friend who wants someone to listen when he is troubled, but doesn't want hear any advice or suggestions? A friend who just wants a sounding board, but not someone to help? How can one give nothing but sympathy? How can one give only sympathy when one sees a real explanation or solution?

I feel like the person doesn't value our friendship as much as I do.

Comments

[banana.livejournal.com]

What shoo said - people don't always want help or advice.
But if you're sneaky, you can ask questions that lead them to forming the very solution you wanted to give them.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I give him all the solutions I can think of. He just won't give me the information I need to formulate the best ones.