@ThatGuy posted:I have to disagree, one thing I learned commanding a warship in the Navy was “ keep it simple *****8*), details do not guarantee success but can lead to a train wreck. It is always best to “read” what they are asking, the type of question will give you the level the person is at……..than tailor the answer to his level. Not making you feel like the expert.
I have to agree, especially the last point about tailoring the response to the level and the needs of the OP.
Sometimes, there's no option other than to ask additional questions, but that should be made part of a *conversation* rather than an interrogation, especially if the questioning requires knowledge obviously beyond the OP's level, or takes on the tone of an implied put-down. Sure, if you engage, you *will* be spending time and employing your hard-won expertise for free, but that does not make *your* 'druthers the primary driver of the conversation. Remember, if you're offended by the lack of specificity in the question or any other reason, you *always* have the option to decline to answer. From the tone of some of the proffered "help" I've seen, the well-being of both the OP and the erstwhile "helper" would likely improve if such an option was taken more often. 'Nuff said . . .
