Engaging, whether in agreement or not, or neutral, is never dismissive.
It is different for each. No one person's experience and perceptions makes the perceptions of another any less valid . . . for that other person.
For example even though I was sick mornings and felt like I was getting more and more ill with each day, my friends and family saw only a casual drinker except for my SH, who still saw only what she wanted to see. Everybody all said that all I needed was to cut back if I felt I was drinking too much. In some ways more insidious. I actually had some workmen comment on my 9 a.m. beer in hand that they wish they were retired too to do that. My smoking was tough too.