I have a theory. It is that contrary to popular belief, misery does not in fact like company. "If it makes you feel any better...", "If it's any consolation...", honestly why should it be? If I am in a fix and so are you, it doesn't change how I feel about my situation. If anything, realizing that someone apart from me is also equally harrowed only adds to my frustration. It makes me fume doubly if we're both getting screwed by the same system. Of course, I feel bad that we're both in the same boat, but this isn't a more-the-merrier situation, so I'd happily throw you off (hoping you will swim to blissful success).
I'd rather hear good news about your situation, while I'm in a shitty one, because it gives me hope of getting out of mine. Good news always trumps bad news. Because if I've done badly in an exam, and years ago you also did badly in an exam and you relate the excruciating details of the terrible incident to me, then that just makes me dread my fate more. Contrarily, if you add that after that disappointing result you emerged as someone who looks-at-the-big-picture-instead-of-focusing-on-silly-things-like-exam-results, then I'll be happy to hear you out and will stop my excessive and futile worry. If there's a moral to your story or if nothing else, it'll at least give me a good laugh, then by all means, console away. If not, leave me be.
