Hello, gentlemen.

I’m a RPW and I need some male advice, please.

My man is normally stoic and reserved and that’s fine with me. But lately he’s been venting to me about work on a nightly basis and I’m wondering how I should respond.

It starts the moment he walks in the door. He shares legitimate grievances regarding workplace safety and productivity. He is more animated than usual and will occasionally raise his voice. He becomes visibly annoyed. Our relationship is wonderful, we do not fight, and he is a good man. The whole thing lasts about ten minutes. When he’s spoken his piece, he’s done and back to his regular self. But this nightly venting session makes me feel like I should do something for him because of the stress it causes.

When a man opens up about a frustration to a woman, what is it that he’s looking for from her? How can I help him? What can I do to mitigate his discomfort? Do I suggest courses of action? Commiserate? Empathize? Change the subject? Listen and nod?

Thank you in advance for your time.