Responding with Why? to a binary question

[leroyjenkens]

I find it pointless to inquire about an inquiry. If the person asks, I will answer their question.

So if someone asks you if they can borrow your gun, you think it's pointless to ask why they want to borrow your gun?

 

[phinds]

I usually answer "yes, why?" or "no, why?", when I want to know the reason for the inquiry. I think just asking "why?", without answering, seems a bit rude.

Read post #4

 

[Mark44]

I'm guilty of sometimes giving a binary answer to a question that was not intended to be binary.

Example: if someone asks me, "Do you want to go to Chicago or New York?", my answer would be an enthusiastic, "YES!"

Most people don't understand .

Yeah, I do that, too.

My favorite response to the question, "Is your new baby a boy or a girl"? - is "Yes."

 

[lendav_rott]

So if someone asks you if they can borrow your gun, you think it's pointless to ask why they want to borrow your gun?

If I did have have a gun, I would simply say "no" , no reason to ask why they need a gun, not many things to choose between :D

 

[Finthefox]

It irks me when people respond with "why?" - most of the time it doesn't matter. It is almost as bad as when people respond to yes or no questions with maybes. For example: "Are you hungry?" "I dunno, kinda".. THAT IS NO A DEFINITIVE ANSWER. My roomie is the king of answering questions like this. I hate people who cannot give straight answers to any question.

 

[leroyjenkens]

If I did have have a gun, I would simply say "no" , no reason to ask why they need a gun, not many things to choose between :D

So you assume, possibly incorrectly, that they're going to kill someone or commit suicide.
"Can I borrow your gun?"
"No"
"Ok bye"
He goes and jumps off a building.

Or...
"Can I borrow your gun?"
"Why do you want to borrow my gun?"
"I want to kill myself"
"Let's go get you some help"
You both live happily ever after.

I hope you don't have any suicidal friends.

 

[lendav_rott]

If one has decided to commit suicide, god bless man. If they really want to die they will find ways other than a bullet in the head and if they Really want to die, no amount of comfort and nice words will change that. No, I don't have any suicidal friends, I appreciate the concern. Although I love the way you gave the other example, fortunately I don't have to deal with that, therefore it isn't my concern, since I don't have time enough to worry about such things and god forgive me, I don't really care.

 

[Ben Niehoff]

There is another question that I always answer with a question:

"Can you do me a favor?"

"What is it?"

:D