why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

When asking people (either a friend, co-worker, chat board, wherever/whoever) for opinions b/w this or that... Why do people feel the need to throw in a skutchy comment?

Scenario 1

person A: which Vera Bradley bag should I get? The blue or the white?

person B: Vera Bradley is disgusting, but I'd get the blue


Scenario 2

person A: do you like the roman shade or the mini blinds for my living room?

person B: you're getting them from Penney's?!?!? Ugh. I guess the romans.

Like - does it matter what *I* am getting? There is no third option - I'm trying to decide between this and that. I guess I just shouldn't ask people for opinions/help.

FTR - this is in regards to something that happened to me IRL.

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

Because people need to put other people down and make the decisions other people make seem stupid in order to make themselves feel better and to justify the decisions they make in their lives.

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

Don't quite know why it is that people do that. Maybe they just feel that their personal feelings on a subject always needs to be voiced? It can get annoying, but I try not to let it bother me. Not my issue, is what I tell myself.

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

You're asking for their opinion, and they are giving it.... even if it isn't exactly on topic, it's still their opinion about the overall topic that you asked them about.

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

Well, this is a stupid question, but it's because.....

In all seriousness, this bothers me, too! Sometimes I wonder if people ever think before they open their mouths.

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

I try to just answer the question because I find that annoying as well ! I'll usually just THINK "well i dislike both options but if i had to choose I'd pick...."

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

or as my DH would answer "It doesn't matter, it's up to you..."

But I was asking for his opinion and an answer!

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

Posted by Kara

Well, this is a stupid question, but it's because.....

In all seriousness, this bothers me, too! Sometimes I wonder if people ever think before they open their mouths.

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

I do this.

A friend of mine was looking at plants on a website and whenever she found something she liked, she'd IM me. I can't count how many times I would say, "Ugh, I hate those things." or "That's invasive, you'll never get rid of it." or "Pink? I hate pink. I'd rather have this or that..."

I know she didn't mind, she was asking for my opinion (and kept asking me, even after my diatribes) but I guess if you know me, and know what an open book I am, you expect that kind of reply.

I don't know... I'm not overly negative about things. But if someone says, "How do you like this?" and I don't like it, I'll tell them. If someone says, "What color looks better on me?", I'm not going to tell them that I hate the color. I'm going to tell them which color I think looks better on them.

I guess it's halfway to your gripe with your friend. Is it always one person? Are they always negative?

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

Posted by MissingLI

Don't quite know why it is that people do that. Maybe they just feel that their personal feelings on a subject always needs to be voiced? It can get annoying, but I try not to let it bother me. Not my issue, is what I tell myself.

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

It's called passive aggressive!

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

If you don't want peoples opinions just ask them the question, let them answer how they want, and then say to them "next time I want your opinion, I will ask for it" I do it all the time with my mother and it works well. Oh, also run off crying. That works well.

Or, preface your choices with corresponding letter or number choices. And when the person answers with anything other than a single letter/number, shout at them I WILL ONLY ACCEPT A ONE LETTER/NUMBER ANSWER, and again, run off crying.

That should do the trick.

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

Posted by racheeeee

If you don't want peoples opinions just ask them the question, let them answer how they want, and then say to them "next time I want your opinion, I will ask for it" I do it all the time with my mother and it works well. Oh, also run off crying. That works well.

Or, preface your choices with corresponding letter or number choices. And when the person answers with anything other than a single letter/number, shout at them I WILL ONLY ACCEPT A ONE LETTER/NUMBER ANSWER, and again, run off crying.

That should do the trick.

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

I think this question is stupid.....

Re: why can't people just answer the question without adding their own two cents?

I just saw I was the millionth person with this joke