Trying to be nice...

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I have no idea what to do in the situation when I am alone with someone else who seems horribly upset about something. I want to help and be nice however I don't really know anybody and I'm not sure what to do when it's a stranger doing that, I'm not sure what to say, I'd like to say something to make them feel better but I'm not sure how to go about it. It seems like people never want my help so even though I'm willing to I can't. Does anybody know how to handle those situations?

I can only sugggest to try your luck. but, if I were you, i'd save my energy and strength to help friends and relatives (or the people we know), instead of some stranger in the street, or in the bus stop, etc...

NB: I have never really been in a situation like this, but, all I can say is say something (an advice, a tip or a few soothing words); as sometimes that can have instant effects.

Maybe you could say that you wish you could help but don't know what to say?

It's a weird situation--- sometimes, it's easier if the other person does most of the talking (venting) and i can say "yeah, i know" or " i'm sorry about that". But if they're crying or just silently stewing/upset, I don't know what to do. I don't know--- am I supposed to hug them and say "i'm sorry" or if I should let them be ( if they wanted help, they'd say so, right?)? I usually end up walking real quietly around them and trying not to do anything that'll piss them off--- I guess if they need to talk they will. I'm not the type of person that can get others to talk and "make it all better" like Oprah or something.

Some people simply don't like it when someone else tries to help them. If they are strangers, it's much better not to poke one's nose in their business, it can only make them more annoyed and upset.