First, the line is baited.

You're depressed. You've been dissed, hurt, slighted, or you're just plain bored.

Then, it is cast out into the water.

When you're amongst sympathetic friends, you perform a conspicuously plaintive, disgusted, "I hate myself" type of sigh.

When someone says "what's wrong?",

You know you're getting nibbles.

Tease the fish a little,

Saying, in another sad sigh, "I don't know."

When someone persists,

Give the fishing rod a big tug.

You sigh again, and begin. "I just feel so.....unhappy right now."

When they pat you on the back,

and tell you how great you really are,

You know you've hooked a big sucker.