Non-specific questions; and, Why do people get mad at me for answering what they asked?

[zianuray]

Two recent examples:

Sis and I had been discussing my Faire sandals. She asked, "Do you wear them all the time?" Since I was wearing tennyflops(those open-heeled things with the front half like a tennis shoe) at the time, I answered "No," with a tad of puzzlement.

She went OFF on me. Apparrently I was supposed to know she meant "Do you wear them places other than Faire? Shopping, around town, etc?"

*Wailing*

But that's not what she ASKED!

Sophie-at-work asked "What kind of candles do you make?"

"What do you mean?"

"What kind of candles do you make????!!!!?!?!?!"

"Wax with a wick? Dragons and Cats and Wizards Oh My?"



Mary had to intervene to find out she wanted to know if I made jar candles with scents.

*Break for sarcasm*

Why am I not picking up on what people want to know instead of what they are asking? Guess I should have taken that ESP course back in the 80's.

*Back to rant*

GoDs, PeoPle, ASK the Question You WANT ANSWERED!!

Comments

[elisedevescy.livejournal.com]

Ack! I know exactly what you mean...I get so aggrivated when people don't ask the complete question. If you want to know something in particular...ask THAT in particular! Which leads to another one...when they ask something and expect me to give a polished answer. Ask me anything, but do not get upset with me for being honest. Don't ask me if the pants make your butt look big if you honestly have a big butt! I will be tactful, but if it looks bad, I will tell you. I expect the same in return. Please never let me go into public looking like 5 lbs of sausage in a tube sock! :)

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

Seriously. I am beginning to think that this is a major character flaw with me, too -- if you ask something, I have this crazy idea that you want an answer to that particular question.

This is especially apparent when dealing with my mother. I think that in the years I have been living with kittenpants and triadruid, she has tried to find out if I am having an affair with triadruid about 7 times, but I never realize this until long after she's asked the question, which is usually something like "kittenpants doesn't mind if you go out to zombie movies with her husband?". See, hours later, I will realize that's a question about whether or not I'm sleeping with him, but in the moment, I will answer, "No, she hates zombie movies, so she's glad someone else will go with him!" and then wonder why I get the puzzlement on the other end of the line.

[brotherwilliam.livejournal.com]

There in lies the point.
What kind of candles do you make?
Wax ones.
No, really, what kind do you make?
Wax ones.
That's not what I meant.
Is there some other kind of candle? Tell me about it, I might want to try to make one...

Play it dead pan and let the twinkle in your eye grow till they see it. Then they might get the idea...

Most of humanity is trainable.
The rest make good jesters, whether they know it or not.

brother william