It isn’t always a challenge or a criticism, not even on the Internet.
Sometimes it’s just what it seems: a request for clarification, further information, or some other benign reason.
That may be rare in this day and age, but sometimes it’s true.

An excellent point, sir.

Some of you may remember several years ago I drove a dump truck for a local contractor.

Very briefly.

One reason for that was his attitude. I'd ask a question for just the reason you described: I wanted to learn more about the process.

Invariably, he'd take it as I was questioning his abilities or approach to a situation like I thought I knew better and he'd get all pissy with me. "Just shut up and do what I told you."

I tried to explain my reasons and he didn't want to hear it.

I don't react well to that sort of treatment. We were both glad when he was able to hire a "real" truck driver and I moved on.

Exactly.

A pet peeve my wife does is always asks me 'why' after I ask a question. Drives me crazy.....

Yessir

Instead of answering the question they look for ulterior motives for my question

Dislike

quote:

Originally posted by ugeesta:
Exactly.

A pet peeve my wife does is always asks me 'why' after I ask a question. Drives me crazy.....

This too. My wife and especially my grandchildren will ask me a question and then tell me my answer is wrong.

If you knew so damned much about it, why did you ask?

EDIT: Blowing smoke has never been an option for me. If I don't know the answer, I'll say so. If I'm not sure about my answer, I will qualify it with "Well, I suspect that..." or "Just guessing here, but"

Fair point. However, it is a 2-way street as the person asking the question bears responsibility in asking a thoughtful question. Non-thoughtful questions:

Some people seem to have a mantra that if they have been provided information that they're required to ask a question about the information. Seriously, if you were given complete information in an easy to understand manner it's OK to just say "thank you" instead of thinking outloud and stammering while you dream up a question.

If you're thinking of your next question instead of listening to the person you're supposedly talking to.

Endless questions like you're 2 years old trying to figure out the world.

Asking the same question repeatedly (e.g. every week) should be the exception not the norm.

My bias is coming from being a subject matter expert at a global corporation. When it comes to questions, some people have very poor habits.

One more here in the column of guys with wives that turn your question into you criticizing them. AAAAAAUUUUGGHHHH!!

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by ugeesta:
Exactly.

A pet peeve my wife does is always asks me 'why' after I ask a question. Drives me crazy.....

This too. My wife and especially my grandchildren will ask me a question and then tell me my answer is wrong.

If you knew so damned much about it, why did you ask?

Maybe she is related to my wife - same problem.

Always asking "why" and she could not care less about the answer.

Been saying this for years. Just glad someone else feels this way.

I'm trying to figure out Sigfreund's real motive for this thread.....

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
I'm trying to figure out Sigfreund's real motive for this thread.....

In addition to a not too-serious complaint when other people do it here, it sort of serves as a reminder to myself. I say “not too-serious” because I fully realize that it’s very easy to misinterpret short Internet posts and what their posters’ intents are. I therefore understand how a cascade of misunderstanding can occur.

As for the personal reminder, if I were applying for a job and had to answer the, “What’s your greatest weakness?” question, I’d probably say that I am very sensitive to unjustified criticism. And that means I can easily interpret a question or any sort of pushback about something I’ve said as a challenge or criticism. So the motive for the thread isn’t just to point out others’ faults.

i used to work with a guy that would ask you a question and then argue with you about your answer .He wasn't a dick , just a very analytical person .Still , it could be frustrating .

And there is the question that is not really a question but supposedly a trump card in a conversation, such as:

innocent me: I like the first snow of the season.

questioner: Are you saying that you like it when people die because the power goes out?

You talkin' to me? Eh?