In this thread we discuss various methods of supporting friends, and sig. others when they are going through a rough time.

I am a very busy person, but I attempt to set some time aside each day to send them a message or communicate with them in another fashion.

What do you do TOTSE?

Why do you feel like you have to go out of your way to support them?

Because that is what friends do and it is not difficult to set asside 5 minutes of my time to write an e-mail and another 5 when they reply.

Admirable. I only support close friends, meaning like 2-3 of them. And all I try to do is talk to them and try to slowly comfort them and think of some genuine advice.

I choose the telephone. One of us talks, the other just listens.

If I have advice, I give it. If they need to think through all of their options, I help them see the pros and cons with every option.

It does take up a fair amount of time , at least 1-2 hours each phone call, but I feel pretty confident they wont make any dumb decisions between when we hang up and when we talk again.

Basic interaction isn't supporting someone, it's a common courtesy.

Alcohol and conversation

Butt sex makes sense.

Support is offering everything that you can, regardless of how busy a person is at the time. Support isn't something for when someone's feeling down; support is something that should always be there.

You're just looking to make a gesture. You can make a gesture in any way that comes to mind; there's no rule for it.

I support about 2-3 friends. That's all.

I give them advice if there having a hard time but that's really all I can do. For example, my friend is currently dating a crazy, evil, manipulative cunt, I tried to explain this to him but he saw it differently. So I stopped caring, and offered to buy him a beer when and if she fucks him over.

I support my friends by being honest with them but also by respecting their decisions and giving them space when they need it.