People telling negative stories

How do you deal with people who always tell you like negative stories. I.E. about their friends who years ago passed away
And
I had an argument in the supermarket the other day
And
I just found out a friend of a friends cousin died of cancer leaving 3 children
And
My friends dog knocked over my China whatever. It was really expensive and now it's smashed

In a summary every time they see you.
Would you ask "do you have anything cheerful to tell me?"
I don't like to say it but I feel it.