how do you handle people who don't respond at all when you ask them a question?

Answer 1

I ask someone else and then don't bother answering their questions. I more or less start ignoring them.

Answer 2

I have a friend that I respect a good deal. I long ago noticed that sometimes when I asked him a question, he would answer immediately. He would sometimes take days.

At first I was bothered by this, but after a while I noticed, he always got around to answering. He just took time to be sure his answer was thoughtful.

I have come to appreciate this above a glib answer. I took ten minutes on this question. Had I answered instantly, it might have just been sarcasm, of which you see plenty here and elsewhere.

Sarcasm is tiring. And maybe you should think about someone's questions. Do you really immediately know the answer? For sure?

Answer 3

Face to face? Give them a minute or two before attempting to get their attention again. I am *HORRIBLE* about being able to express what I think (I refer to it as my brain not speaking English). So I sometimes need a lot of time to make sure I'm actually saying what I think. If someone tilts their head at me or does the hand-wave thing, I'll acknowledge them and let them know I'm still thinking, but I may not remember to do that on my own. (Repeating the question is rude IMO, since some people find it harder to think when someone is talking to them - so you're making the situation worse!)

Email/Chat? Try to get hold of them another way. Not everyone is a slave to his/her inbox like I am. ;)

Phone? Mostly the same as face-to-face, except you're restricted to verbal means to get their attention.

And in all such cases, it's just one attempt. If I get absolutely no response after that, then I expect they're ignoring the question. How I deal with *that* depends on the question.

Answer 4

If I think that they did not hear me, I ask again. If they still do not respond, I just dont worry about it anymore. If it is a question that needs to be answered, I will ask someone eles. If it is just a 'how are you today' type question, I just let it slide, and will ask the next person that comes in.

Answer 5

I hate when I ask questions and people either interrupt, disrespect, disregard/ignore or move on to another subject. It's rude and it's unnecessary. (and I'm not talking about yahoo!answers:)
I ask people questions other than the usual, "how are you doing" or "how's it going" and they act like they can't answer a detailed question. Also, unless I ask about them they don't know how to converse back and forth. That's sad to me. So, I just keep things short and move on if I've given them enough chances.

Answer 6

That depends are you standing face to face or are you on the phone or e-mail???

If standing face to face, I would wait a few seconds repeat the question then if they still don't answer wave your hand in the face and "Hello, Anybody Home?"

Phone I would just are you still there? Did you hear me?

E-mail, I just resend the e-mail and say "Wasn't sure if this got through"

If they keep ignoring you, I would come out and say are you going to answer my question or what?

Answer 7

Consider why they aren't responding. Might they be hard of hearing? Might they be focused on something else and didn't hear you or realize you were talking to them? Or are they simply being rude/dismissive?

If they are hard of hearing or focused on something else, I touch them on the arm or shoulder and get them to look at me. Then I ask again.

If they are simply being rude, walk away and, if appropriate, ask someone else.

Answer 8

They were probably thinking of something else and didn't hear what you said. It also depends though on what the question was.

Answer 9

Bash them over the head.

Answer 10

Well be nice to them and keep your rep as it normaly is but in your mind cuss them out