We have a regular beer with a friend and what usually happens is, that we talk past each other. Each of us is describing their own situations, thoughts and problems, without the other reflecting much on what was said by the other.
I find it very therapeutic. You know, that you are being listened to, you hear other problems, but there is no pressure to solve anything or even to comment on it.
The problem is, when this happens at work or at home, when you are trying to solve a real issue. In that case, you cannot avoid the response and drift away with another problem of your own.
Conflict is inevitable, but healthy.