Why don't we say I don't know when we don't know the answer to a question?

Question

It is my belief that we all have done this at some point in time.
We will be asked a question that we'll know that we truly don't know the answer to; e.g.; 'why do chickens lay brown eggs?'.
Instead of saying, 'I don't know', we will hazard a guess; we will make up an answer or give some kind of nonsense answer; or to me, what can be the most annoying of all if at the time I am truly looking for a serious answer; an attempt at a humorous response.
Why is it so hard for us to just say, 'I don't know?'

Answer 1

I don't know

Answer 2

I cannot speak for other people, but I do say "I don't know" quite often, and if I know the person is seriously looking for an answer to that question, I will generally follow up with "do you need help in finding out about", which is one thing I do try to do on here, just because you may not know the answer, doesn't mean that you shouldn't take a stab at it or maybe help the person try to find some type of resource that they can use to help them in finding the answer. I myself, will also try to make light of the subject (only if its not a really serious question IE death in a family and things like that), especially if I know I have no idea how to properly answer it, but if I do that ... I always attempt to leave something that may help them ... If I can't do the that, then I leave the question completely alone.

Answer 3

That is such a good question. Let me start by answering, I don't know.

Humor aside, I also find that when I ask somebody a question, they'll do anything except admit they don't know. Usually I get a tapdance of a response that doesn't answer my question, or I get an answer that I know is wrong, in which case I just tell the person "never mind."

But you are right--it can get frustrating when people try to answer questions when they don't know. Like when you're asking for directions, or how to fix or assemble something, or even about how to fill out a tax return.

I've gotten into the habit of telling people to just admit that they don't know, or be able to prove their answer. With all the ignorant people I know, they've gotten into the habit of admitting that they don't know.

Answer 4

Why waste people's time by writing "I don't know". Far better to leave the question to people who do know or who can make a reasonable stab at it. That is if you are referring to Yahoo Answers. In general life "I don't know" is often an answer I use but it is a bit of a conversation stopper if one wants to take the conversation further. Sometimes a tentative answer is appropriate and may lead to fruitful thinking about the problem by those present, or just elimination of some possibilities..

Answer 5

Pride, insecurity, and sometimes because we feel like we are expected to know-or should know- the answer. I think some of us are brought up or conditioned by people whose approval we desire to very seldom admit "I don't know". Perhaps it makes us feel/look ignorant, or when we have admitted it in the past we were promptly told to find out the answer and report back on it. So to avoid the hassle and risk of either not being able to find out the answer or not wanting to put that much energy into it we make our best guess.

Answer 6

I think it might be that I/we want to try to help the person asking the question because there has to be a reason for the question,
but I really do not know.

Answer 7

You're right.
I think when we do this (hazard the guess) it's because the desire to assist is stronger than the intelligence needed to hold our tongues!

Answer 8

They're not smart. The most intelligent that I think that I have ever said is "I don't know". Then I can get educated, instead of remaining ignorant.

Answer 9

Our mind picks a answer
Our ego tells us to say yes

Answer 10

because it may be fun to the person answering the question to say something or they just think they know the answer

Answer 11

Human nature? People like to sound clever.