Some people like to vent though too. I've been told, hey, I'm not looking for answers, just an ear. I always try to offer some help or advice, but I realized that isn't necessarily what the other person wants, it's what I want. So I try to listen, try to say more than just "That sucks," and if I get asked for help, I'll see what I can do.
But sometimes, it's just "That sucks," and that's usually because you made your bed and now you need to lay in it, but that's kinda mean to say to someone who's already not feeling so great.