Tell a related story is best choice because it shows that you really feel what that person is coming through since you’ve came through similar situation yourself
But then you are making this about yourself. Stealing the show. Reaping all the sympathy.
When is only you and your friend in evening near the grill, then i don’t know which sympathy i stole, i mean men truly open up very rarely and often in very small circle or even only to one person, so you have to show some compassion in these moments