It's called putting your ears on and keeping your mouth shut.

Try sympathizing first and then asking if they think this or that would work.
The approach means an awful lot.
If it sounds like a lecture or a command you're going to be tuned out.

he's cute but smoking

I had a member of staff that used to say that about me 😂

The way to win is not to play the game.

She has a point though. Most of us hate talking to AI chatbots for the very same reason.

That reminds me of what a wise lady told me back in my dating days when I tried to help a girl "friend" and seemed to fail. The lady told me that the girl didn't want me to offer solutions. She just wanted me to listen, really listen. It actually worked.

Ha! She can't remember the question!

Not happening here :) Inshallah

Women, (and some men), DO love to vent...and it is NOT about finding a solution...it's about blowing off steam.

A lot of times, what she really wants is someone to understand and empathize with what she is going through. Immediately jumping to a solution can feel insensitive to her, in that it sounds as if he is minimizing what she is feeling.

And to be honest, in our marriage this usually happens with the gender roles reversed.

There's some truth to that. Guys like to be helpful and solve problems, but a lot of the time, a woman is just venting. All she wants is someone to listen, and maybe a hug.

they can win they just need to learn how to shut women down