Why do most people who ask questions don't bother to choose a best answer? At least 85-90% don't.?

Question

I don't mind helping someone with their homework but if I'm nice enough to answer a question than they should take the trouble to choose a best answer instead of leaving it up to the voters.

Answer 1

Looking at the questions you've asked in the past, it looks like about half of yours were decided by votes, rather than selected by you.

So what were your reasons for not choosing a best answer?

I'd suspect other people lose track of time waiting for more answers to come in, and by then the question has rolled over to voting. And once it's open to voting, I don't think the questioner can select the best answer, just vote like everyone else.

Answer 2

I've noticed this, too. It drives me wild when I take the time to give someone a quality answer and they let the question expire and go to the vote. I've heard that some people ask the question, get the information they need and then just ignore it and let the voters figure it out. I've heard of a few occasions where a person honestly cannot figure out which answer should be best, because there may be several good ones, so they actively put it to the vote. I think that's okay to do once in a while.

Personally, though, if I ask a question, I want to the be the one choosing which answer I liked best. I'm a control freak that way. I don't want an answer that I hated to be chosen as "best." I actually care about my questions. I took the time to phrase it properly, spell & grammar check it, categorize it, do the research to make sure it hadn't been asked before and then post it. It means something to me. Other people took even more time answering the question. I benefit from their answers, so it's only right that I should take the time to let people know that I appreciate them. It's common courtesy. (Which, it turns out, is not that common.)

Edit: I also can't stand it when someone says, "Wow. Too many answers here. I'll just put it to the vote." The very first time I asked a question, yahoo answers featured it and in two days, it got 208 answers. I picked a best answer myself. It wasn't easy, either. About 150 of them were good.

Answer 3

Personally, there has been a time or two when I have been tempted not to choose a best answer simply because I didn't feel that people had really given any thought to what I was asking. For some questions, it seems like most or all responses are from people who don't really care, but are just trying to get their two points for answering and hopefully be in the "lotto" for the 10 points for best answer. However, I have always chosen a best answer, even in these situations, because otherwise I lose control over the ability to make any kind of decision about who will receive the points. One time a question only got one answer, and it was very facetious. However, I knew that obviously that answer was going to get the 10 points for best answer, so I went ahead and chose the answer at the end of the question period and then I used my comments to indicate how I truly felt about their response. I suppose in some cases people may have a difficult decision if they received a lot of good answers (I have had this happen in one or two instances, but I just made myself select a favorite). Perhaps they feel it would be more fair to the people involved if they allow several people to vote, rather than selecting their own personal favorite from many good possibilities.

Answer 4

I only pick the best answer if I know it is the best answer. If it is something I am unsure about I leave it for voters and let the voters tell me which sounds like the best answer and then take that advice into the most consideration. Also there are some questions that there is just no best answer.

Joker, you deduct 5 points when you ask a question and if you pick a best answer you get 3 points back. If you do not choose a best answer you don't get any back. If it goes into voting and nobody chooses a best answer you get all 5 points back....Maybe people are hoping nobody votes......

Answer 5

People probably don't even bother to read the answers to the questions they ask! I think there was one that I didn't choose a best answer to, and then leave comments!

And the spell check thing drives me insane too!!!! It's there for a reason people, USE IT!

And to continue on that train of thought, Why don't people check other peoples questions and answers before posting a duplicate question?? I had a question the other day about my new cell phone, I didn't even have to post it because 4 other people did for me and I got what I needed!!!

Answer 6

Most of the time, you get a lot of great answers and can't decide between them. So you can just leave it to the voters. Or some people just forget! I don't think everyone do it on purpose. I do agree with you through! I hope you pick a best answer (haha).

Answer 7

Each question is different and in many cases has more than one answer. If we knew the answer, then we wouldn't be asking total strangers. Even psychiatrists will have a difference of opinions on the same question. Sometimes people will look for options and things they hadn't thought about. Then after reviewing the answers, they may want to go in several directions.

Answer 8

Home work maybe, but what about when the answers either ignore qualifications in the question or suggest stuff that simply doesn't work out? I would be more active in grading answers if I had the power to punish those stupid answers put in to get 2 points.

Answer 9

perhaps they didn't think any of the answers were that great. I've asked questions in the past without choosing a best answer simply for that reason.

Answer 10

There's only one time I missed picking a best answer, and that was when my wife, went in the hospital.

I agree it's rude, YA should deduct a couple points, from a questioner if they don't pick a best answer.

EDIT: Hey Bull Ridin Chik, What the heck was I drinkin? Your right. (smacking self in forehead)