Is it just because we assume that it is the right thing to say? Or is it just that we don't know what to say and we feel offering condolences makes us look good? If I noticed one thing about the way in which we respond to situations where someone is either venting or speaking about something stressful, sad, etc. we resort to default responses like "I'm sorry", "things will get better", "you'll find someone". Part of it I am sure is just a lack of understanding but I feel like we try to minimalize bad situations so that the person who is feeling said way doesn't see as negatively which in my opinion is irritating and just a show of misunderstanding?

Is it that hard to say "I don't really know how you are feeling and I can't really help" or "I can listen to you but I don't know if I can really offer you anything?" Because at least in that case I know you are being honest. Sometimes we aren't looking for a solution, we are just looking for someone to talk to so why do we assume at people want a resolution or that we need to solve something? Again I feel this is human nature, it could just be that you care so much that you don't want to seem like you don't care by not saying anything but how would we know if we aren't getting the information before we respond?

This is not really a vent more than it is an observation, sometimes it's better to be truthful then be "sorry" and offer condolences because we think it makes us sound like we are concerned or care.