The trouble with the second scenario is that it perpetuates the bad mood rather than alleviates it. By talking about it, you spread your negativity to the other person, and they spread theirs to you, thereby increasing the negativity exponentially. And it solves nothing. You're not solving whatever the original problem was, but only making yourself feel worse about it -- and justified in feeling so. Much better is the friend who just leaves you alone to stew. Turning inward for quiet reflection may put things in their proper perspective. Oddly enough, this answers a question I was dealing with overnight/early this morning. As is more often the case than not, I end up answering my own question when I answer someone else's.