What is it with people not answering questions?

[sft42]

Why is it that no matter how clearly worded a question is some people go totally off subject or do the opposite of what the questionnaire asks?? Why does this happen?? Do people just not read the questions properly? Or is it just a case of laziness or worse bloody-mindedness to ignore the intent of the question?

[woodpam]

Could it be because some questions ask for specific information and can be answered with a very straightforward answer, but others seem to invite a discussion in the same way that a conversation can meander around different viewpoints of the same subject?

[woodpam]

Or should I respond: Q1 I don't know Q2 It depends on the question Q3 Possibly Q4 Probably not

[xyzzyplugh]

'25 or 6 to 4' by Chicago. What is the current theory on the meaning of this title please sft? Also, is it an urban myth that TV detector vans were just empty scare wagons due to lack of funds a bit like those cardboard decoy police cars on motorways and inflatable passengers you can get to go in your car! There's inflatable sheep too, but I haven't got one. There's inflatable dartboards too. (true.)

[andy hughes]

I think Woodpam has the right idea - people do tend to 'converse' on the Site - for me that is one of its major strengths, but the option is always there to ask a very direct Question, but that can get a strictly factual answer, with no 'human' input - but if that's what you prefer .....

[Gef]

Even worse are the people who get answers (or more queries) and then just disappear with no acknowledgement.

[PaulYukochan]

Plato : We should go where ever the wind of the question / answer thread takes us.

[ukkid76]

Probably because the person answering the question could not believe that there would be anybody stupid enough to ask such a question in the fires place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not that your question was a stupid one.

[Cetti]

Forgive me sft42, as I realise that this is off-topic- but I would be more than pleased if when a Q has been answered a 'Thank you' (or words to that effect) were more in evidence, or better still - stars!!

[Jonathan R]

I guess it's because people aren't paid for their answers and therefore can write whatever they want. That's what I like about the Internet, freedom of expression!

[Worker]

I used to play water polo as well but I had to give it up 'cos it got very expensive. The horses kept drowning.