Jobless? What's a friend to say?

Apparently, even well meaning friends can turn completely stupid when in the proximity of hardship.

Gotta friend who's lost their job? Please, please, please don't say:

"Enjoy your fun-employment!" or

"You're lucky. I hate my job."

These little gems of hoof-in-mouth disease are brought to you this week courtesy of AARP.

In the name of uncomfortable chatter, AARP has had the grace to come out with a tip sheet to help you through the discomfort of cheering a friend who has been slapped with a pink slip and shown the door.

AARP's Aaron Crowe wrote a wonderful ditty called "How to talk to an unemployed friend."

Crowe says certain expressions of sympathy should just be kept to yourself. He offers these as evidence:

•"At least you have your health" (Not helpful)

•"Everything happens for a reason." (That one just makes you sound clueless).

•"Where one door closes, another one opens" (Too cliche)

•"It's too bad I don't have time to stop by." (Clearly signals your avoidance)

•"I'm sorry. How can I help?" (Same as helping someone in mourning).

•"It's on me. This is for your job search." (A $25 gift card to a coffee shop won't pay the mortgage but can help your friend prep for an interview and get out of the house.).

•Run an errand. Do a chore. Crowe says job hunting is a full time job. So offer to take the kids for a spell, rake leaves, cook a meal.

•Take your friend to lunch, a movie, a museum. (Human contact matters).

•Give your friend a job contact or invite them to a networking event. Networking helps people work.