The phrase 'Tea and Sympathy' is used to describe kindness and sympathy that you show to someone who is upset.
Example of Use: "Sometimes people want practical advice and sometimes they just want tea and sympathy."
The origin of the idiom 'tea and sympathy' is well-known; this term comes from a play of the same name. Tea and Sympathy was written by Robert Anderson in 1953; it chronicles the tale of a troubled boy. The famous quote is: “All you’re supposed to do is every once in a while give the boys a little tea and sympathy."