Consider dropping your own assessments of their problem and related ideas about how to fix things. Instead, consider ways you could be more empathetic. For instance, consider letting go of your desire to fix their problem and try to understand the details of their situation. You may not agree with their interpretation of their situation, but you should still listen attentively and try to understand them. Often, unsolicited advice comes from a place of not adequately understanding the situation or challenge that another person is going through. To move beyond this problem, you could try to understand and empathize with the challenge that they are going through. It might help to ask them clarifying questions: "Can you tell me a little more about that?" "That sounds really tough. I'm not sure I understand how you got into that situation. Can you remind me how that happened?" After listening attentively, you can ask them directly how you could help out. They may simply say that you are helping by offering an attentive ear. If they need something specific, they may tell you. If they are specifically looking for advice, they will have the opportunity to ask you for it. Try saying: "I'm here anytime you need me. Really, anything you need." "What can I do to help?" Advice that is specifically requested is much more appreciated than unsolicited advice. If you are called upon to give advice, you can go ahead and offer your two cents on how to resolve the situation. Give advice if they ask the following kinds of questions: "I really need advice on how to resolve this situation with my brother. I'm at a loss right now. Do you have any experience that would help?" "Have you ever dealt with a family member dealing with depression? Do you have any advice based on that experience?" Rather than telling them specific things to do, you should convey your care for them and listen to their problems. You shouldn't promise to keep any secrets, since you may have to convey the information to a mental health professional. Listen with attentive ears to everything they have to say and try to be there for them. If there is an emergency, you should call 911 and wait until help arrives.
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One-sentence summary -- Stop trying to fix their problems. Try to understand their state of affairs. Ask how you can help. Give advice if they specifically ask for it. Talk to them if they are at risk of self harm.

Anything designed for basketballs or bicycles will work fine. High pressure pumps designed for car tires are not recommended. They give less control over the pressure and can damage your basketball. This needle fits onto the end of the air pump, allowing you to fit it to the tiny hole in the basketball. It should come with the air pump. Look for a round, black rubber cap on the basketball. Push the cap up enough that you can bend it aside, exposing the hole underneath. This will release air and break the one-year warranty on Neverflat basketballs. Screw the needle in until it is firmly attached. Be careful, as you may accidentally puncture the basketball if too much force is used in the wrong place. Young children should ask an adult for help to avoid injury from needles or an exploding ball. If you're having trouble, wet the needle end with a little saliva or glycerin. If you're using a bicycle pump, find the plastic tab on the end of the tube and pinch it closed. At this stage, it's better to pump it too little than too much. Take the needle out of the ball quickly to prevent air from escaping. Never continue without removing the needle. The next step can send the needle flying out, which could injure someone. If using a bicycle pump, pull the plastic tab to reinflate it before you remove the needle. Neverflat basketballs should be inflated to about 8 psi. If your pump has a gauge, keep pumping until it reaches this level. Otherwise, keep reading to find out how to test it yourself. Press the ball gently. If it feels about right, press as hard as you can and see how much it sinks. Ideally, the ball should compress about 1/5 inches (5.5 mm). If you can only compress it 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) or less, the ball could explode when thrown. For another test, stand on the court and hold the basketball above your head. Drop the ball. It should bounce back to your hip, or to your elbow (once you've lowered your arm). Too high a bounce is just as bad as too low. Keep pumping until the ball responds correctly to your test. If the ball is too hard, bend the valve to let out some air. When you're done, just withdraw the needle. The cap should fall back on its own.
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One-sentence summary -- Choose a small pump. Attach the air pump needle. Push up the basketball cap. Insert the needle into the hole. Pump the ball two or three times. Check the pressure gauge. Test buoyancy. Pump or let out air to adjust.

Anger proves that the person has gotten to you. It means that you take the other person seriously and perhaps that you believe there is truth to the insult. Getting emotional will also make it harder to think clearly and respond. Insults are often a away to establish social hierarchy. Taking offense will give the other person an edge over you in inter-group dynamics. If you laugh and make a self-deprecating joke, you demonstrate that the other person's insult did not affect you. This can disarm your assailant and prove that you don't consider them a credible threat to your social status. If the person in question is someone you respect and the comment has an element of truth to it, consider whether the "insult" might have been constructive criticism. If so, try to follow the advice. This is generally preferable to returning the insult. Returning the insult means that you consider it a credible threat to your social status. It validates the insult and, unless you can execute a comeback very effectively, you will come out on bottom. It was often alleged, for example, that Ronald Reagan was too old to serve as President. Instead of going on the counterattack, he diffused the situation with self-deprecating humor: "Thomas Jefferson once said, 'One should not worry about chronological age compared to the ability to perform the task.' . . . Ever since he told me that I stopped worrying about my age." "The dozens" is a traditional African-American game in which two people trade witty retorts. Familiarize yourself with some effectively lines, so that you can return an insult quickly and naturally. Practice your delivery to get your timing down. This response is best reserved for friends who won't take offense. To be effective the insult should sound creative. But the standard format of "Your mom is so ____" or "You are so ____" is a good go to. Examples include: "Your mom is so generous she would give you the hair off her back" or "Your mom is so old she was the waitress at the last supper."
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One-sentence summary --
Don't get angry. Consider accepting the insult. Play the dozens.