Do people want honest answers or simply placating answers?

Question

I really don't understand why people even ask a question if they don't want to receive an honest answer, based in the information they've supplied!

Example:
My dog has had diarrhea and been vomiting, not eating or drinking for two days now, what should I do?

An honest and knowledgeable answer, according to the information supplied would be:

You need to take your dog to a vet, pronto! Your dog could be suffering from any number of problems, but only a vet can determine the exact cause.

Then you have someone reply to the question with an assinine answer:
Oh, it's probably something he ate. Just offer him some Pepto and wait a couple of days and see if he improves before spending any money!

So...they original questioner picks that answer as the "best answer" and says, "Thank you so much, I feel much better now. I was afraid that he was really sick and might die!"

Why even asked a question if you only want to read answers that make you "feel so much better"?

Of course, then you always have the people who give smart @ss answers just so they can get their 2 points.

In my opinion, Yahoo! Answers could be a great way to exchange knowledge and information. (If various individuals did not chose to act immature and give moronic answers.)

I don't pretend to be 'all knowing' and I don't have a crystal ball. I do have knowledge to share about pets because of my education and experience. I want to give the best answer that I can with the knowledge that I have, to steer people in the right direction. I don't answer a question to earn points. I don't give a gnat's navel about the points. If an animal is sick, I want to give the most helpful answer that I can give, in hopes that I can help the animal and the owner.
If someone doesn't want to listen to the truth, they are endangering the health and life of their animal.

Perhaps I take the questions too seriously and I am simply wasting my time?

I agree the the majority of people who replied to my question and appreciate the inciteful and intelligent answers.

Answer 1

It is because people cannot handle the truth. Most times when people seek counsel, they are really seeking approval or confirmation of what they already thought. My friends often ask me for advice but when they do not like or agree with whats being said, they attempt to negotiate with me to get me to see their point of view and agree with what they think about something. So then it makes me ask, "Why did you ask me?"

Answer 2

You're correct, the reason is because they don't want to spend the money taking it to the vet and if just one person agrees then their idea is validated. It makes me wonder, do they care at all about their pet or just feeling better themself?

I'm sure when the pet dies then they will say "but someone else told me to just give it pepto and wait a few days to see if it improves"

You take on a pet, you're responsible for what happens to it, sometimes they do get sick and you have to budget for it or be prepared to pull the money out of something else to get treatment.

We had a cat get sick at one time, we could have used the money for something else but our cat came first, we can always come up with the money somehow. Needless to say $600 and we had to put him to sleep, nothing more could be done. Do we regret spending the money? No way, it made him comfortable in his last days, he wasn't in any pain whilst he was with the vet, on a drip and medication. We did everything we could and we're happy knowing that he didn't suffer because we didn't get him help.

How many people do you think agree knowing that's what the asker wants to hear, just to get the two points?

Answer 3

Yeah that's annoying. But what really bothers me the people who post such ridiculous answers. Like My dog eats chocolate all the time so it must be OK. Or When people go out and get a pet and then come on here asking how to take care of it. Like I just bought a ball python Tell me everything I need to take care of it. And then of course some idiot is going to say. Just put him in an aquarium and feed him crickets.

Answer 4

I don't care what answer they are looking for. I look for reasonably intelligent questions and try to answer based on the knowledge I have. If its the best answer good, I know I helped someone. If not, so what. Sometimes people ask funny questions expecting amusing replies. If I have a funny comment I have happened to think of, I'll reply. If not, I move on to another question.

Answer 5

Hear!! Hear!! I agree with you completely. I try to give honest answers, and sometimes I get accused of being rude. My intention is never to be rude but to be honest and helpful. Some people just want affirmation, not honest answers. Questions such as, "Am I pregnant?" or "Should I break up with my boyfriend?" are asinine to begin with. I mean see a doctor!! And as far as breaking up with your boyfriend is concerned, how can anyone who does not know the entire situation even comment on that? It is indeed frustrating.

Chow!!

Answer 6

Seriously!!!
That is exactly what happens.
Inaccurate and completely wrong information is being choosen as best answer simply because that is what people choose to believe.
I've found this to be true in all aspects of life. And people get pissed when they are scammed by someone who knows exactly what to say.

Answer 7

i ought to work out your component enormously after he now promised to deliver 900 million money to the Palestinians and supply up help to Israel which he did in contemporary speech. the individuals of Palestine have a protracted historic previous of hatred and terrorist activity and this 900 million could be plenty greater effectual directed and used interior the hands of the United international locations than interior the Palestinians. If the Palestinians get it it ought to very certainly be used for weaponry against the rustic of Israel. Who might have ever theory america Tax money might fund money to purchase bombs for use on are #a million best chum interior the middle East Israel Barack Hussein Obama what are you thinking?

Answer 8

You are absolutely right! You are SO brilliant to have asked a question that you knew most people would agree with, dude. Way to go. You're the man. Eee ha.