Can I ask you a question

@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
March 13, 2016 7:36am CST
My new colleague is very sweet. She comes to me timidly and says softly: Can I ask you a question? My answer is: sure, you can ask anything you want, but I may choose not to answer or give you the wrong answer. I almost tell her off that her opening is a question. If I say no, she has to swallow back her original question. Most of her questions are job-related, and some are silly questions. Some of her questions include: do you think our boss will approve of my leave plan? That is very silly because I am not her boss, and I have no say over the decision of our boss. Anyway I manage to deflect most of her questions by directing her to someone else.
12 people like this
15 responses
MARILYN
@Marilynda1225 (86739)
• United States
13 Mar 16
It is kind of odd how we all seem to start off asking if we can ask a question. Since you aren't her boss I guess you are giving her the best advice by sending her to someone else
4 people like this
Canadian Archer
@HebrewGreekStudies (1646)
• Canada
14 Mar 16
Yeh, that's what I was going to say, but decided that I would scroll down to see if anyone said that first, haha, yeh when someone starts off by asking "can I ask you a question?", they have infact already asked one;)
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
14 Mar 16
@HebrewGreekStudies I think next time when anyone asks me this question, I should say "no", because that is already one question answered.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
14 Mar 16
@Marilynda1225 Surprisingly, many people start a conversation in this way!
1 person likes this
Reine25
@Lucky15 (37391)
• Philippines
13 Mar 16
Some really are barking at the wrong tree
3 people like this
Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14970)
• Malaysia
17 Mar 16
I don't know since when I have this habit before I ask a question too. I remember some of my high school friends used to tell me, you have already asked one question. My husband always said that to me too. I guess she is just a fresh grad.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
22 Mar 16
haha, glad that you have changed. I think your friends and family will be very irritated if you go to them and asked "can I ask you a question" 20 times in a day.
hoong143
@hoong143 (1397)
• Malaysia
14 Mar 16
May I know how many questions does she ask per day? If just some, it is good.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
15 Mar 16
She should not even come to ask me. I am not her assigned mentor. I think she just does not feel secure with the others, so she approaches me first of all.
Oshy
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
13 Mar 16
Oh I see, she is testing waters asking you some question that you have no answer for really.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
15 Mar 16
It is irritating when she asks stupid questions. I do hope that she can stop wasting our time in this way.
1 person likes this
Oshy
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
15 Mar 16
@scheng1 It can be exasperating.
PaintsOnSlate
@PainsOnSlate (21846)
• Canada
22 Mar 16
You are very smart to send her to someone else. She sounds a bit too needy for my taste, either that or she had a crush on you!!
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
3 Apr 16
She certainly lacks confidence. My work has very little to do with her work, and though I know what to do, I do not know what my manager has told her. i do not want to contradict my boss.
1 person likes this
Morning Girl
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
22 Mar 16
Hahaha you are very wise!
Bluedoll
@Bluedoll (16770)
• Canada
13 Mar 16
Do you mind if I ask you a question?
1 person likes this
LK2018
@Letranknight2015 (52550)
• Philippines
14 Mar 16
well, she did ask permission to ask a question. i hope she did not offend you in anyway.
1 person likes this
Marlina
@marlina (154111)
• Canada
13 Mar 16
It looks like she is very insecure and maybe is just trying to make conversation.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
15 Mar 16
I think so, most of us are very busy in the office. I think she feels bad for interrupting me at my work.
DianneN
@DianneN (247157)
• United States
16 Mar 16
She sounds very unsure of herself, but you are kind to help her.
1 person likes this
Canadian Archer
@HebrewGreekStudies (1646)
• Canada
14 Mar 16
People who know me know that they can ask questions but...sometimes my answer will be "I don't know"-it's a fact which I have no problem admitting;)
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
15 Mar 16
Yes, most of the times I will answer this way. i will direct her to the persons who are in the best position to know. It is not that I do not know the answer. I just do not want my answer to contradict that of my boss or my colleagues. Since I do not know how they have been teaching her or what they have been telling her, I rather not comment.
1 person likes this
Pinay Ako
@AkoPinay (11529)
• Philippines
26 Mar 16
For me it is a sign that she is brainless
1 person likes this
Oishi Dasgupta
@Oishi24 (47)
• Kolkata, India
13 Mar 16
She sounds like a polite and timid person, and for some reason, she probably feels more comfortable asking you for advice.
1 person likes this
scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
15 Mar 16
Yes, she does feel more comfortable talking to me. Perhaps we are of the same level in the company. Most people will rather ask colleagues than ask the boss.
elvee roy
@elveeroy (93)
• India
14 Mar 16
nice conversation