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Why do people answer questions without actually answering questions?

If somebody asks "what's your favorite kind of pie?," and you don't like pie, maybe take a second to understand the question was not directed at you. You don't need to go in the thread and pipe in that you don't like pie.

If somebody asks, "does anyone have a pet guinea pig?," they don't need to hear from everybody who doesn't have a guinea pig. They're looking to connect with people who DO have a guinea pig. A negative response to the question isn't needed.

Someone looking for a hot sauce recommendation doesn't need to hear about your acid reflux. The question wasn't for you.

Someone asking what clothes to pack for Athens in the summer doesn't need to hear about your trip to Moscow in the winter. If you've never been to Athens in the summer, they weren't asking YOU.

I don't know what it is about this site, but I've been reading through threads and so many of them are just filled with these sort of non-answers.
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I disagree, I think when someone says "what's your favorite kind of pie" you open up a conversation for anything related to Pie's, even if they don't like pie, they might recommend a really good cake you never had before, and you might learn something. Humans are not robots.
Dex1981 · 41-45, M
@JamesBugman But "I don't like pie" is not an answer to the question. Now if somebody said "I don't like pie, but if I were forced to eat a piece, I'd pick key lime." That's an answer. Further conversation is polite and welcome, but not until you've actually answered the question.
RubySoo · 56-60, F
@Dex1981 i see where yr coming from, and i admit i dont like peeps going 'off topic' on my posts, but as long as its about the subjuct of the thread i'm ok with an indirect answer.......and like you say...respectful and polite.
If yr unhappy with someones reply...delete it..