"For the last several months I've been on job training with a small group of other coworkers that required moving to another state for the training. Of course this training took some people away from their families. One colleague is quite vocal about missing his new wife and constantly expresses how much worse life is because he can't see her. I'm fairly newly married as well, but while my coworker will move into his newly-purchased home with his wife once we get back to work, my husband and I will continue to be long distance for the next three to five years, depending on military commitments."
"I've done my best to just hold my tongue and empathize, but this person has an unfortunate habit of complaining while also regaling us with stories of home decoration and being sanctimonious about stoicism and I'm afraid I'm going to get frustrated and snap at him. Is there anything that I can say is caring or honest? I don't want to hurt his feelings by diminishing his experience or create a rift in the friendship, but his constant comments make me feel sad, lonely and resentful."
