It's been my experience that men like to be comforted with physical affection too. If uncertain, I might start with a pat on the shoulder and/or the offer of a kleenex, and go from there based on his reactions. But then I would do that with anyone I don't know well, male or female.

Early in the relationship with my husband, the fact that he never cried, and in fact hardly even changed his facial expression or body language, left me baffled. I wanted to be there for him when something happened, as a partner should be, but I couldn't tell when he needed me. Now I am a little better at reading his signals. It's just that they are so subtle, a person must know him very, very well to be able to pick up on them. When he verbally mentions to me how much he misses his deceased relatives or the cat, or when something stressful happens, I treat his words as my cue. I'll sit next to him and hold his hand. I'll listen to him, mostly silently, but asking questions if his words invite me to. If he's highly (for him) upset, for example if it's his grandmother's birthday and that triggers thoughts of how he misses her, I might snuggle in next to him and put my arms around him while he's telling me about some memory of her. This I take as his way of crying, so instead of lecturing him on how he should release his emotions, I simply do the same thing I would do if he actually were crying.