lime

I definitely bring work issues home with me. I'm a waitress and deal with way worse than most people lol!

I do complain, but I try to at least make it entertaining--as in, instead of cursing/ranting/raving, I try to make it into a funny story with a tinge of bitterness.

But anyway...One thing to do is let her rant, and listen politely, at least for a few minutes. Don't start with her about how it's her fault for getting into the situation (she probably already knows it)--many women rant when they feel self-loathing as well. It's a way of dealing with it and cleaning the slate in a way.

But you can make it more lighthearted, joke around about her evil boss or evil clients, show that you support her, but don't let her go on and on. My boyfriend is pretty good at this now, he'll jump in and make fun of the customers or "help" me vent with exaggerating etc. This often turns into me forgetting about the venting and just having a good time.