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Asking 'stupid' questions.........?

(78 Posts)
Magenta8 Wed 21-May-25 11:55:37

A few times I have read enquiries on GN that have been answered curtly with the words 'Google it' or 'Google is your friend'. Am I being stupid in asking if other people find this dismissive or maybe even rude?

Franski Wed 21-May-25 11:43:23

I think we often say ' i know this is a stupid question but... " in order to preempt the response "don't you know that??" I agree that feeling stupid stops us from learning and being curious. Maybe we could start a thread of questions too stupid to ask?! And see if GNetters will be nice to us?

Applegran Wed 21-May-25 11:06:43

On another thread someone said she wanted to ask 'a stupid question'. It was not stupid - and it was great that she had asked, and received an answer. It struck me how easy it is to worry about looking stupid - and often it turns out that other people had the same question and are glad you asked! I wonder what 'stupid' questions others have hesitated to ask? Maybe they have actually asked already, or maybe they remain unanswered. If anyone is brave enough to ask the question they have feared asking before, I think there are people here who will do their best to answer - and be impressed by your being brave enough to ask.
Incidentally, there is a great book called "Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway", by Susan Jeffers - paperback, not expensive and helps with lots of fears. She taught me to ask even if I thought it might be a stupid question, and I cannot now think of an example of my own - but look forward to seeing what others offer.