topic Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”? in SmorgasBoard

Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

NRB525 — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 10:25:44 GMT

I get this a lot at work, and the questions the colleagues ask are never a "quick answer". The answer always requires more context than the asker realizes. Sometimes it turns out the context that is really driving their question is not even close to what they thought they were asking, so the real answer goes in a complete different direction.

I try to be subtly snarky in my reply "there is no such thing as a 'quick question'" but have given up getting these people to realize their intellectual laziness. I suspect the main reason is they really think there is a Yes/No answer, or maybe they think I'll move their answer to the top of my stack because it will be a quick one for me.

Even here, I see posters asking "I have a quick question" and then there are multiple pages trying to get the full context out of the asker to properly respond with all the complexity in the answer.

Just ask the question.

Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

Anonymous — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 12:14:13 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
I get this a lot at work, and the questions the colleagues ask are never a "quick answer". The answer always requires more context than the asker realizes. Sometimes it turns out the context that is really driving their question is not even close to what they thought they were asking, so the real answer goes in a complete different direction.

I try to be subtly snarky in my reply "there is no such thing as a 'quick question'" but have given up getting these people to realize their intellectual laziness. I suspect the main reason is they really think there is a Yes/No answer, or maybe they think I'll move their answer to the top of my stack because it will be a quick one for me.

Even here, I see posters asking "I have a quick question" and then there are multiple pages trying to get the full context out of the asker to properly respond with all the complexity in the answer.

Just ask the question.

After reading your comment I need to take a nap! Good points

Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

iced — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 12:50:03 GMT

"Quick questions" are also an item in any toolbelt when approaching someone who is a little overconfident in their knowledge of something and needs taken down a peg.

Every workplace has that guy who thinks he's (it's usually a dudebro) better at something than anyone else on the planet, so I'll usually go to them in a meeting with a quick question involving complexities they've never encountered then watch them grind to a halt in front of their more knowledgeable peers.

Thanks to Dunning-Kruger it's rarely effective, but it's still a pleasure to watch.

Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

pinkandgrey — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 13:02:18 GMT

I suppose I'm in a minority here, but I've never really found it bothersome when people use that phrase. That is, ASSUMING it is indeed a "quick" question and not long and drawn out or requiring a long and drawn out answer lol.

If it really is a short question or requires only a minimal response, then "quick question" away.

Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 16:55:06 GMT

They're saying it in order to get your attention. If someone says it's a quick question, people are more apt to pause what they're doing to hear what it is versus saying they're busy or waving someone off. I don't think it has anything to do with intellectual laziness for most. More like they just played you psychologically. They may not even realize they're doing it, they just know subconsciously that they'll get a better response when starting the question that way. Similar to how people asking for a favor always apologize before asking the favor. Studies have shown that apologizing beforehand reduces tension and makes the other person more receptive to the favor, even if there's nothing to apologize for. It's also the same reason apologizing is the first thing to do when de-escalating a situation.

Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

NRB525 — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 17:04:59 GMT

@iced wrote:
"Quick questions" are also an item in any toolbelt when approaching someone who is a little overconfident in their knowledge of something and needs taken down a peg.

Every workplace has that guy who thinks he's (it's usually a dudebro) better at something than anyone else on the planet, so I'll usually go to them in a meeting with a quick question involving complexities they've never encountered then watch them grind to a halt in front of their more knowledgeable peers.

Thanks to Dunning-Kruger it's rarely effective, but it's still a pleasure to watch.

I see the situation you describe, and yes, as a trip-up method that might be entertaining.

My colleagues are asking me through Skype texts, one-on-one, so they are really looking for the answer. I am the DudeBro because I have been heavily involved in the projects creating these processes, so I know the answers. But I also know the apparent misdirections that lead to me determining what the person really should be asking, and direct our solution where it will be productive, not necessarily the first "quick question".

Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

NRB525 — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 17:07:41 GMT

@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
They're saying it in order to get your attention. If someone says it's a quick question, people are more apt to pause what they're doing to hear what it is versus saying they're busy or waving someone off. I don't think it has anything to do with intellectual laziness for most. More like they just played you psychologically. They may not even realize they're doing it, they just know subconsciously that they'll get a better response when starting the question that way. Similar to how people asking for a favor always apologize before asking the favor. Studies have shown that apologizing beforehand reduces tension and makes the other person more receptive to the favor, even if there's nothing to apologize for. It's also the same reason apologizing is the first thing to do when de-escalating a situation.

Yes, I think they use it as a shorthand to get to the top of the stack. The thing is, I will help them regardless, so it's somewhat annoying that they don't trust me to work as a team member to help them.

Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

NRB525 — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 17:09:36 GMT

@pinkandgrey wrote:
I suppose I'm in a minority here, but I've never really found it bothersome when people use that phrase. That is, ASSUMING it is indeed a "quick" question and not long and drawn out or requiring a long and drawn out answer lol.
If it really is a short question or requires only a minimal response, then "quick question" away.

I also would not mind if the question was really simple. The thing is, by the time they get to me, they could not arrive at a solution by asking others because their question really is complicated

Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

AverageJoesCredit — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 01:36:43 GMT

Cuz who wants to ask a slow question

Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

NRB525 — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 04:36:24 GMT

@AverageJoesCredit wrote:
Cuz who wants to ask a slow question

That's not too far off. Many times I get the impression they want a quick, complete answer to take it back to the higher executive to look good.

Which is why I often end up slowing them down, as the path they are on may not be where they should be going. Or it really is not that simple of an answer.

Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

Remedios — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 14:20:25 GMT

I dont think I've ever been bothered by "I have a quick question" intro, even if answer may not be short and simple.

The only phrase that drives me completely nutty is "I know this is a dumb question", or conversely "There is no such a thing as dumb question"

Yes, there is.

Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

Wrigley2172 — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 01:58:29 GMT

To piggie back off Brian: humans are social creatures and we learn what paths we need to take to get the result we want in the quickest way. Whether they be literal paths to get to a destination or a path in a conversation. Also, there is a social pressure to not bother someone, thus when you say "i have a quick question" the implication is that it wont be a long task that will burden you regardless of what the actual question is. Also i believe its an american cultral thing. We as a society are so busy running around we want the information yesterday. Id be interested to see if someone in the U.K or elsewhere would get someones attention in a similar way

Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

wasCB14 — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 01:29:55 GMT

Building on what others have said, it steers you into a position where you must:

1. Refuse a small favor (only a jerk would refuse) or

2. Walk away from a half-completed task once the full scope is revealed (how silly to abandon something you've already put time into...and foolish you wasted your time) or

3. Help them with something big

More of a subconscious habit than anything calculated.

Re: Why do people say “I have a quick question”?

FireMedic1 — Sun, 05 Jul 2020 09:42:27 GMT