> * Practice empathy. People usually don't want advice, they most often simply want someone else to understand their experiences. If they are open to advice and

> * Practice empathy. People usually don't want advice, they most often simply want someone else to understand their experiences. If they are open to advice and you have a tidbit of wisdom, share it kindly and with obvious humility This is a thing I sometimes crave... People are very eager to teach you lessons and give one advice after another, when you open yourself up even the tiniest bit, if your life is even slightly unconventional. So annoying; if I'm telling my story, it's because I want to share it and lighten my heart, and I'm not stupid, I know what you tell me already, and a bit more, given the topic is my life. I'm an aspiring researcher in humanities, but I know me some programming and a couple foreign languages. Every time the topic of future comes up, and if I make the stupid mistake of talking about my worries and plans, I'm bombarded with suggestions on how to put my skills to use, how to become rich, how I should just quit this laziness, this idleness and spend my time doing something useful. The best thing to do after listening to someone sharing their problems, worries etc. is either to make them speak more, or to nod your head, and pass on to some other topic, related or not. And if one really wants to help, just ask whether they want you to help and if yes how to help.