I am not sure you can lump all women into crybabies, who are looking to be rescued, and have no incentive to look for soultions.

I think there are as many men who expect women to provide them with soultions as there are women who expect the same.

I don't think it has a thing to do with gender.

I don't think nurturing excludes practical problem solving or suggestions, on the contrary, I think it is the basis of constructive nurturing.

I do think that there are times we can not say the 'right' thing no matter what we say, and at those times, we should say, there is nothing we can say to make it better, lest what we say seem trite.

We need to remember that usually a bad day is followed by a good one, at least somewhere down the line.

We need to remember that not every problem has a solution.

Now, as far as the cartoon goes, there WAS a practical solution, but it required some action on the 'helpers' part...he wasn't real willing to help...so he just said something nice and hugged....luckily the female WAS better off with that approach to his friendship.

I don't use the icon all that much...I think we all agree that there should be a 'kick in the butt' icon, as well. They should both be used sparingly and with loving intent.