It's a tough line between just listening and trying to fix the problem. I don't tread that line very well. I'm a fixer by nature, my wife will testify to that, so just sitting and listening it hard for me. I think a lot of it too has to do with not knowing how to respond, so you automatically slip into that fix mode.
Most blokes are fixers, it's in our make-up, but holding that back a little can often be the better way to go. Saying that, I've tried to fix the shit out of things in the past and had it go ok and badly. I learned though and reaign in the fixer in me as much as possible, especially with women...they just want to be heard.
Absolutely true, especially your last sentence!