you're not bad at giving relationship advice, your friend is a drama queen. seriously. if she's that blind to not know when he's being a jerk (which he clearly was), then that's not your problem. 

The more relationships I've had he easier it becomes however I do not give it freely whenever someone is crying.  Sometimes they dont want your whole dating life story when they're upset and advice only makes them feel worse.  Its fed to the willing over time and in small increments when they ask for it.

The best advice, when wanted, always comes from the experienced.

First off, what's up with the pic from Mean Girls.

Secondly, I don't know if you do suck at giving advice. Giving advice is different, and often easier, than people actually taking it. I think you tried your best - you listened to her, you reassured her.

When I give relationship advice (or advice in any situation for that matter), after the initial wave of listening and reassurance, it usually stems around facilitating (if they're open to it; sometimes all they want is a shoulder), much like a counsellor. So I'll ask my friend non-judgmental questions along the lines of:  "What do you want to do about this? What do you think you could do about this? Why? What do you think would help you? What do you want to feel? What's the goal you want to achieve?"

That way, S/HE gets to call the shots and solve his/her own problems, with me as a facilitator rather than problem-solver i.e. I help her veto or encourage certain avenues, and I keep making her answer the questions the come up instead of me being like Dr. Phil and spoon-feeding, ranting and raving. :P

I have a few friends who weren't so great at solving their relationship and dating  problems, and they are soooo much better now at solving such problems. Just like a good therapist, if you give your friends (patients) the tools and methods to solve their problems, eventually they don't need you anymore as a therapist.

Giving good relationship advice takes time. I'm still learning every day, and I learn from my mistakes and my successes (and my friends' as well!). I think it's great that you're asking for tips in the first place.

just be a listener. that already makes you a good friend.

I was in a relationship for two years and he broke off with me and we stayed close friends. I made it clear that I still wanted him as well. Recently I found out that he went on a date with another girl (although he said he was not interested in her and he just went to make a friend), and that crushed me too.

A lot of times people are not really looking for advice. They just want to talk it out. As a person in a similar boat, I can say, at least for me, I didn't want people to tell me it was going to be okay (because at the current stage nothing seems remotely okay). It was one thing if I say to you "I'll be fine" and you agree, it's another thing if you tell me so...I mean, her heart is broken, and to hear those words from a person who is happily in a relationship (even though you meant well) may be difficult.

It has nothing to do with your advice really, so don't take it personally...it's just difficult for her. Just be there for her and that is probably all she needs.

It all kind of depends on the person, but usually I tell the person to step back and look at the problem from outside the box, and think about the pros of breaking up or fighting.  It gives you a chance to start over, ya know?  And my favorite thing to live by, which I usually share with those in pain from love is: Everything happens for a reason :)

Believe it or not, I use the line, "It'll be okay," a lot when someone close to me is bawling their eyes out and at the same time, pouring their heart out to me.  I have to admit, it's usually the first generic line that comes into mind and when you can't think of anything to say.

But after she cried her heart out and I get a more understanding of the situation, I usually tell her how it is (in my view point, anyways).  If he's a jerk, I'll tell her that he's a jerk.  Though I may sympathize with her, sometimes they need a smack in the face to really see if it's really all worth it at the end.

Well there are several issues you could address with her. There's the emotional comfort, telling her that her ex is just being a typical guy and not to waste any more tears. There's also a logical approach, things that will make her feel better like exercising, focusing on school work, eating ice cream. And then if you understand her psyche enough then you could actually talk about why she actually feels the way she does about the situation. The latter of the three is actually the most helpful, but hard to accomplish if you don't know them very well or if they're not calm enough to listen seriously to your advice as opposed to just wanting comfort words.

But in the end, when I give advice to people, I always keep one thing in mind and it helps me guide people who are distraught. I always think "This person just wants to be happy...so what's keeping them from being so?' and usually from there knowing what to say just kinda comes naturally, ya know? Being able to empathize with a person also helps too. =)

Just listening is a great comfort to a friend in need. If you truly felt that he was a jerk for letting your friend know about a new interest, then you could have said it. It'll be a light slap in the face that she has to move on.

Say what you feel, but also give the other side of the opinion. You shouldn't force her to do anything. She should make that decision on her own.

If you have nothing to contribute, maybe you can be an active listener and they can give themselves advice after hearing what you retell them.

I have learned a very important lesson regarding giving friends advice: Sometimes, even the very best advice, will be criticized and go unheeded. Some people, some friends that is, want to be the victim and just want others feel bad for them and shower them with attention. It sounds like this friend was rude to you. You offered the best you could, that should be enough. Sometimes, just telling them that you think her bf is a jerk for doing that but you know she likes him.. just explaining that whole thing to her will help. Because it shows you thought about the whole situation and that means alot to people.