What we need is a series of scientific studies with good sample sizes that include multiple cultures that range from similar to quite different. However, the most you could even get with a well done study are trends, which are largely meaningless when dealing with individuals.
Even if they did find a casual link between gender and likely hood of seeking sympathy/seeking solutions, attempting to use this information to make judgement about individuals would be foolish and possibly offend the person you are engaging with. I tend to talk to my wife like crazy about all sorts of things and often seek sympathy from her when I've had a crap day. On the other hand if she has a problem she often just wants it fixed.
Neither of us seek sympathy or solutions all of the time and so it becomes a rather mixed bag. I also tend to blather endlessly where she tends to be far less communicative. I believe this is because of major differences in the way her and I were raised. Thus we also have the issue of nature vs. nurture that needs to be addressed.
While I could understand someone wanting more information about these behaviors for curiosities sake, anyone trying to use the information to judge the intent of individuals without knowing them would be a terrible idea.
Even if they did find a casual link between gender and likely hood of seeking sympathy/seeking solutions, attempting to use this information to make judgement about individuals would be foolish and possibly offend the person you are engaging with. I tend to talk to my wife like crazy about all sorts of things and often seek sympathy from her when I've had a crap day. On the other hand if she has a problem she often just wants it fixed.
Neither of us seek sympathy or solutions all of the time and so it becomes a rather mixed bag. I also tend to blather endlessly where she tends to be far less communicative. I believe this is because of major differences in the way her and I were raised. Thus we also have the issue of nature vs. nurture that needs to be addressed.
While I could understand someone wanting more information about these behaviors for curiosities sake, anyone trying to use the information to judge the intent of individuals without knowing them would be a terrible idea.