2. Encourage a change of pace: “Come on, let’s go out for a drink!”
“When she talks to me cheerfully, it makes me feel cheerful too. Chatting about something else is a good way to take my mind off things.” Some guys don’t need pity, but would rather you invite them out to relieve their stress. Make sure to keep it fun and mind your pace, though—the point is to distract him, not to get him to drown his cares in drink.