Questions, Always Questions

[disbelief11]

I am constantly amazed at the number of people who can't answer a simple, direct question. People, listen up: I asked you something specific because I need the information in order to help you or plan a time to meet you or to figure out how long I need to block out in my schedule for you, etc.

So, when the conversation goes like this -


Me: "Are you looking for (A) or (B)?"

Person: "Blah blah blah...yadayadayada (nothing even tangentially related to either A or B)"


- I get frustrated.


Darling Flist, do you find this happening to you? Or, perhaps better, do you know why people do this or how to get them to actually, y'know, answer the question?


Maybe I ask too many questions instead of just bossing the other person around. That's it, I should just impose my will upon all others who cross my path. No questions asked.

Comments

[mz-bstone.livejournal.com]

You're dealing with circle-talkers. I'm one, and it drives my husband nuts. But unfortunately, a lot of people process that way.

Often what they say is relevant, at least to the person talking ... it's just linear talkers, those who get straight to the point, tune the circler out, or try to redirect to where they think it should go, and circlers get lost and oh, boy.

The best way is to let the circler say what they have to say, and THEN ask questions to clarify how their c,d and e connect to your a nd b.

You actually spend less time than if you try to mid-direct mid-ramble.

*g*

B

[stone-princess.livejournal.com]

This is why I quit being a librarian and went on to other work. I couldn't deal with the patrons.

[valentinemichel.livejournal.com]

You know, that question reminds me of the time -

I so kid. A lot of people look at any kind of communication as an excuse to talk about themselves. Or just hear the sound of their own voice. Although, B may be onto another possibility with the circle talkers who may not know the answer immediately.

Try a journalist's trick: ask the question. Let the person ramble. Rephrase the question. Repeat as necessary (and as patience allows).

[tresca.livejournal.com]

Heh. That happens *so* often at work. Clearly you should just decree things ;) I sometimes find that repeating things back as a statement of one of the choices instead of a questions sometimes helps. "So, what you want is (a) then?" Not always though.