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I did not reply as if the person were being a smartass. I replied indicating the answer did not provide me the information I had asked for. The original questio

by ncmncm 4y ago

I did not reply as if the person were being a smartass. I replied indicating the answer did not provide me the information I had asked for. The original question was utterly specific, so I asked again for an answer to that. "Volatile or non-volatile?" means exactly the same as what I asked. Repeating it would not add any more information. To assume I was calling anybody stupid or a liar is an extremely uncharitable interpretation. The reasonable one is that I did not get an answer to what I asked, exactly as I said.

fluoridation 4y ago
Maybe you didn't intend to imply that the person was being a smartass, but it was how it came across. >I replied indicating the answer did not provide me the information I had asked for. Yes, and that's part of the problem. Part of it is how you phrased it. The "maybe answer that?" is particularly rude; you're being sarcastic to someone who's just helpfully answering an inquiry. But also the problem is that you didn't say "I don't understand what you mean". You said "maybe answer that". Phrases like "I don't understand what you mean" leave open whether it is you who's missing something or the other person who's saying something nonsensical and just focus on the fact that there's been a failure to communicate and signal that you just want to fix that. "Maybe answer the question" says that it is definitely not you who's not getting it and puts all the blame on the other person for at the very least not being clear enough.
- ncmncm 4y ago
  You are reading enormous hostility into a simple question. I hope you are never treated as badly for your earnest behavior as you think I deserve for mine.
  - fluoridation 4y ago
    Me? Nah, I don't care. I willingly deal with openly hostile people for laughs. I'm just telling you why you got downvoted. If you want to get a different reaction next time, now you (hopefully) know how to do it. If you don't then just keep doing what you're doing, I guess.

by ncmncm 4y ago

fluoridation 4y ago

Maybe you didn't intend to imply that the person was being a smartass, but it was how it came across. >I replied indicating the answer did not provide me the information I had asked for. Yes, and that's part of the problem. Part of it is how you phrased it. The "maybe answer that?" is particularly rude; you're being sarcastic to someone who's just helpfully answering an inquiry. But also the problem is that you didn't say "I don't understand what you mean". You said "maybe answer that". Phrases like "I don't understand what you mean" leave open whether it is you who's missing something or the other person who's saying something nonsensical and just focus on the fact that there's been a failure to communicate and signal that you just want to fix that. "Maybe answer the question" says that it is definitely not you who's not getting it and puts all the blame on the other person for at the very least not being clear enough.

ncmncm 4y ago
You are reading enormous hostility into a simple question. I hope you are never treated as badly for your earnest behavior as you think I deserve for mine.
- fluoridation 4y ago
  Me? Nah, I don't care. I willingly deal with openly hostile people for laughs. I'm just telling you why you got downvoted. If you want to get a different reaction next time, now you (hopefully) know how to do it. If you don't then just keep doing what you're doing, I guess.