How do you deal with eople who ask retarded questions?

[ViperGTS]

I am finding, on an increasing basis, that people seem to stop thinking when their mouths are open. I have been asked so many questions (mostly from IrishGirl, I won't lie!) that, if the asker would shut up and think about it for a moment, the answer is right there in front of them.

Now, IrishGirl is getting better about it, at this point she'll as a dumbashell question, and I'll just sit there, and within a few seconds, she'll giggle and go "oh!" as she gets it.

I'm sure I'm not the only person who notices this. Who do you deal with the same issue?

[isabeau]

myself... i often ask stupid questions..

isabeau

[Mimi]

You mean like the one being asked in this thread? :p

[ViperGTS]

No no, not stupid questions. I mean shit like, "if I call to reserve a hotel room, will they want my credit card number?"

And Mimi, I don't understand. Please explain.

[venray]

ROFLMAO @ MIMs...ya beat me to it.....

Asking the question you used in your example is not retarded viper. Some people really dont know everything there is to know in life....

[ViperGTS]

ok, never mind....mimi, delete this thread please

[Mastertank1]

give them a wiseass answer.
example;
I'm in an elevator on the top floor of a building. Someone runs up and instead of hopping in stops to ask; "Going down?"
I answer; "No, I thought I'd fool everyone and go sideways this time."
One guy didn't get it so completely, he actually stood there looking dissapointed as the doors began to close! I took pity on him told him it was a joke and to get on.
Sheesh! Some people!

Mastertank1

We who play and dance are thought mad by they who hear no music.

[tulipangel]

Tee Hee @ MasterTank.... Yeah I have dont that before....
Sometimes people have a lot of other things on their minds and they say stuff that they probably wouldnt say or ask if they weren't so stressed.... OR some people are just well...... not very bright :)

[TicklishLurker]

You want dumb questions - work in a library!

If you have ever seen the movie, Clerks, that scene where Dante and Randel talk about the dumb questions they're asked, that's pretty much my entire work day every day.

[AnnieHall]

I am finding, on an increasing basis, that people seem to stop thinking when their mouths are open. I have been asked so many questions (mostly from IrishGirl, I won't lie!) that, if the asker would shut up and think about it for a moment, the answer is right there in front of them.

Now, IrishGirl is getting better about it, at this point she'll as a dumbashell question, and I'll just sit there, and within a few seconds, she'll giggle and go "oh!" as she gets it.

I'm sure I'm not the only person who notices this. Who do you deal with the same issue?


I often find on an increasing basis that the askee in said situation doesn't try to put themselves in the asker's position and try and understand why the question is being asked. Instead of looking at the question on the surface, and thus becoming annoyed at this cretin's stupidity, sometimes you have to do some thinking too.

[Mitchell]

I'm guilty of this, but I'm getting better at it, and no, I don't mean my famous "3 questions". I am referring to the fact that someone who is very close to me, has told me there are times I repeat myself, or ask stupid questions. I am getting better at controlling this, I think, but I may still do it from time to time.
For me, if someone asks me a retarded question, my reaction will depend on who asks it. If it is a close friend or family member, whom I have a good history with, and who I know cares about me, I am usually patient, and answer the question in as civil and loving a manner, as if I thought the question wasn't stupid. If it is someone I don't like, I will be snippy. Today, for example, someone I don't like asked me a question about an upcoming trip to King of Prussia mall, a subject I had just told him about only yesterday, and I will admit I got a bit snippy, because I told him the details of it yesterday, and I think sometimes, this person enjoys saying things to piss me off, and doesn't mean well. Had he been someone I had a good relationship with, I would have answered calmly, but I will admit I was snippy. I was just like:" Yes, the answer is still yes, and it will be yes, unless I tell you it's no, which I won't, it's a definite yes, unless I say otherwise." People like that, who ask me questions like that, do sound dumb, and it does piss me off.

Mitch

[crydun]

I like the Bill Engvall method.

Example: You pull up to a gas station. Gas attendent comes out and says "Got a flat tire?"

Answer: Nope, I was driving along and those other three swelled right up on me! Here's Your Sign...."


I Do believe that stupid people should wear a sign just so we're all forewarned.

[ViperGTS]

And wear aluminum foil.

[Mz Chaos]

Actually, I salute those who ask stupid questions... If it wasn't for them, Bill Engvall would never have come up with the "Here's your sign," gimmick that has caused me much amusement.

Now... I do have problems with folks to whom I have to explain everything, especially if it something that is common knowledge and doesn't take a degree in rocket science to know, and is compounded if you know the person has some sort of intelligence.
You make a statement, comment or joke... and... instead of them thinking for a sec... they get that look on their faces... and you just know that whatever it was you said, sailed right over their heads. So, after taking a deep breath and letting out a sigh... you start to explain and halfway through they say something like... "Oh yeah, I knew that." It just makes me want to smack them.

[unit5610]

I often find on an increasing basis that the askee in said situation doesn't try to put themselves in the asker's position and try and understand why the question is being asked. Instead of looking at the question on the surface, and thus becoming annoyed at this cretin's stupidity, sometimes you have to do some thinking too.

^ Well said.
There are instances where people don't think or look before they ask but sometimes there are other things going on and the askee needs to consider that for at least a second. Only THEN you can consider the person a stupid cretin.

[Knox The Hatter]

In my employment history, I've been asked some of the dumbest fucking questions you could possibly imagine that have ever been asked...and I've given some gloriously flippant answers in kind.

However, a person could be going through such a rotten time in their lives that it would seem to them that every question that's inquired of one is moronic and vapid, and in dire need of an abusive retort. It's happened to me. Usually a big red flag. Viper, is this where you are at the moment?

[nowayjose]

There are no dumb questions.. only dumb people.

[isabeau]

hmm i was always told there are no stupid questions.... even on this forum.. who is to say what is a stupid question or not?

isabeau

[ViperGTS]

Knox my friend, I've known you for years, and I have yet to find ANYONE as intuitive and wise as you.

Thank you. It's time for me to go make an apology.

As for the 103.8 fever I was running last night....I'm hoping this is not a recurring issue as of tonight.