[Misc] Is there really no such thing as a stupid question?

[Normal Rob]

To Michael Smith, who lost in the final of the darts last night and had just been in tears...

'How are you feeling?'

 

[boik]

In the very early days of networking, one of our branches sent a message saying "Is the network down?". Made us chuckle.

 

[brightn'ove]

Spanish Dave, what exactly does he do?!

 

[Eric the meek]

As a teacher I’ve always taken the view that the only stupid questions are the ones we never ask.

OK. I'm going to ask it then.

Why do so many teachers answer a question with 'As a teacher' at the beginning of their answer? It may be factually correct, but is it relevant?

It's like me answering a question with my answer beginning 'As a ridiculously handsome bloke who has had phenomenal success with women' blah, blah.

 

[Lenny Rider]

I was once outside St Charles RC church in Worthing with an empty hearse and two limousines, whilst the service was going on, and a lady came passed and asked "Has somebody died?"

Without wishing to diss the lady in question, I'd class that as a stupid question.

 

[Baldseagull]

As a teacher I’ve always taken the view that the only stupid questions are the ones we never ask.

As a student, I always took the view that asking questions let the teacher know that they hadn't explained things very well.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

What's she gonna look like with a chimney on her?

 

[Worried Man Blues]

Are you honest? Do you lie?

 

[ConfusedGloryHunter]

If a picture paints a thousand words then why can't I paint you?

The effectiveness of pictures relative to words has no influence on an individual's ability to paint said picture.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Depends on who is being asked. That being so, the answer is probably no.

 

[El Presidente]

OK. I'm going to ask it then.

Why do so many teachers answer a question with 'As a teacher' at the beginning of their answer? It may be factually correct, but is it relevant?

It's like me answering a question with my answer beginning 'As a ridiculously handsome bloke who has had phenomenal success with women' blah, blah.

Fair enough. I have a job where answering questions is a core component. Encouraging people to ask questions helps to create an enquiring mind and a love of education, which is good for personal development. Therefore there's a case for saying every question should be treated with a degree of respect and courtesy, regardless of who asks it. The only time this probably isn't appropriate is when you are asked in a pub "What are you looking at", when you know that whatever the answer you are going to get a shoeing.

 

[El Presidente]

As a student, I always took the view that asking questions let the teacher know that they hadn't explained things very well.

Not explained the subject very well, or not explained it very well to you?

It could be that by asking a question you are showing interest in an element of what the teacher said and you want them to expand upon it as you want to know more about the subject matter?

 

[Eric the meek]

Fair enough. I have a job where answering questions is a core component. Encouraging people to ask questions helps to create an enquiring mind and a love of education, which is good for personal development. Therefore there's a case for saying every question should be treated with a degree of respect and courtesy, regardless of who asks it. The only time this probably isn't appropriate is when you are asked in a pub "What are you looking at", when you know that whatever the answer you are going to get a shoeing.

El Pres, I liked your answer, but I'm not sure it answered my question.

Obviously in school/college, your audience know you are a teacher, but on here, many will not know.
I was wondering why teachers like to prefix their answers with 'As a teacher'. Is it in order to prepare their audience for their wisdom?

'Uh-oh, this one's a teacher. We'd better listen up'.

 

[El Presidente]

El Pres, I liked your answer, but I'm not sure it answered my question.

Obviously in school/college, your audience know you are a teacher, but on here, many will not know.
I was wondering why teachers like to prefix their answers with 'As a teacher'. Is it in order to prepare their audience for their wisdom?

'Uh-oh, this one's a teacher. We'd better listen up'.

Makes sense. In a job context I take the view that there are no stupid questions and so try to apply that 100% of the time as it is the professional thing to do.

In a broader environment some questions can appear ill thought out or are there to provoke a reaction and perhaps don't warrant an answer. That could make them stupid questions as the answer can sometimes be self evident.

 

[Baldseagull]

Not explained the subject very well, or not explained it very well to you?

It could be that by asking a question you are showing interest in an element of what the teacher said and you want them to expand upon it as you want to know more about the subject matter?

I am sorry, I don't understand what you mean, could you find endless ways of saying the same thing until I get it?

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Whilst I get there are no stupid questions in the sense that you only know what you know so asking about something you don't know is a valid and worthwhile question there are still moments that make you wonder.

Situation 1: Whilst discussing WWII one person(a grown adult in their mid 20's) on hearing about France's role came out with the now legendary question amongst those who heard it - Wait...France was invaded? Who by?!

Situation 2: On hearing that the doors on the left side of the train would open person B(who was facing person A) asked 'Who's left? Mine or yours?'

I think that we can all agree that both questions are at least heading in the direction of being slightly stupid. I guess the first, despite the stunning lack of knowledge, is actually the less stupid question. The second just required a modicum of thought and logic.

 

[Official Old Man]

Working on Brighton seafront there are three questions I get asked at least a dozen times each summer, mainly from overseas tourists-
Where is the pier?
Where is the beach?
Where is the i360?
Whilst all sound stupid it should be noted that foreigners don't always know what a pier is. But UK tourists asking these questions do get the mickey taken out of them.

 

[Robinjakarta]

To Michael Smith, who lost in the final of the darts last night and had just been in tears...

'How are you feeling?'

Good call. A lot of interviewers ask this when it's obvious. Shows how much they care.

 

[1066familyman]

El Pres, I liked your answer, but I'm not sure it answered my question.

Obviously in school/college, your audience know you are a teacher, but on here, many will not know.
I was wondering why teachers like to prefix their answers with 'As a teacher'. Is it in order to prepare their audience for their wisdom?

'Uh-oh, this one's a teacher. We'd better listen up'.

Yes, but what of the ones that are scientists working in academia?

Do we have to sit up straight too while we're listening up?



Or is that a stupid question?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Can we please all pronounce Mac Allister as Mac Al eeeesta?