why do people ask questions they already know the answer to?
i’ve noticed that sometimes someone will ask me a question, very well knowing the answer, but want me to answer anyway to move the conversation along. and it confuses me like why’re you asking me.. when you already know.. and i blatantly say this but it never goes down well. but i still don’t understand! sometimes i grit my teeth and answer anyway to continue the rhythm of conversation but sometimes i find it so incredibly difficult… yes i have an example.
“im going to move my stuff into the other room”
“oh cool”
me taking my stuff about to leave, like 30 seconds later
“- where are you going?”
“what do you mean?” (me annoyed bc i just said im moving my stuff to the other room)
“where are you off to?”
“why’re you asking me that?”
“what?”
maybe that’s a bad example but
“oh i love [insert movie]”
“what movie?”
(but in this case, yes they heard me, and yes they know what movie it is, and yes i asked and they admitted they don’t know why they asked when they knew the answer)
these are both real examples.
don’t think im talking about clarifying questions! i’ve truly been told that people know the answer but ask anyway for conversation flow.. i don’t get it.
UPDATE:
the responses have truly helped. i think i was extra frustrated when i first typed this all up. i’ll have more grace for people asking follow up questions. thank you everyone :)