Useless..

There are many reasons people ask for opinions, not just to hear them, but to get an idea of what others think. Some don't always acknowledge that they have heard you and thank you for your imput. I have done alot of listening and given idea's suggestions and yep most of the time they go unnoticed at first. Then if you step back and watch and listen you may see they did hear you. We don't always get recognition for what we do for others, I feel that giving answers is better than not. Whether they heard me or not at least they got an answer. You shouldn't feel useless for giving answers, because you were able to give one.

Most people ask me what I think of their drawings, because I am an artist. I am certainly not the best artist, but I am not the worst either. I tell them, not harshly or anything, constructive criticism to help them improve their drawings. Most of them say: "I didn't ask you what you didn't like about it" or something like that, and I just get offended because I normally say: "Wow, that's really good" right before I say my little side comments that aren't really anything. And they asked my opinion of it, not for compliments.

Yes, i believe many people have been in this situation before. Don't worry, you are not alone. I have also been treated like that. Many a times, people ask for opinions is just to reaffirm that the choice that they have decided is correct. They need people to assure them that they have made the right choice. So when we give them the answer that they are not looking for, they then turn a deaf ear to whatever else that we say. Actually they already have an answer in their heart, just that they do not admit. Don't feel useless as this is not your fault. Instead, as a listener, we should try to understand our friend better, to see what he or she is really thinking.