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So what would you want people to say to you in that situation? It's also true that at some point, if people are overly prickly, but the problem absolutely has

So what would you want people to say to you in that situation? It's also true that at some point, if people are overly prickly, but the problem absolutely has to be solved, then it's going to be 'show me the logs of exactly what you've been doing, now go take a break and let me work on it.' That also will piss people off, most likely.

spacehunt 4y ago
"I've worked with similar problems in the past, let me know if you want to pick my brains" would be a much better start. Don't assume people want help, even if it seems crystal clear to you help is needed.
mindcrime 4y ago
There's an awful lot of "it depends" to all of these scenarios. It may even be possible that there is, in fact, some scenario where I'd be OK with what's quoted above. But generally speaking, I would not be happy with something that comes off as smug and suggesting a "I'm the teacher, and you're the student, now let me show you how stupid you are" mind-set. But if the person speaking had the right standing in my world-view and I was really stuck, well then maybe I would tolerate that (even if it wouldn't be my preference). I lean towards the kind of language I mentioned in another comment, with things like "Hmm... have you tried _______?" or "The first thing that occurs to me when I see ______ is ________" and so on. Or even "Do you think that maybe _________?"