"Why?"

[Belial]

Why is it that the word "Why?" is greeted with such hostility? I refuse to be portrayed as an insensitive monster for being inquisitive and no longer will I tolerate those who would portray me as such.:mad:

[jseal]

Belial,

It has been my experience that those who are hostile to “why” don’t know why they say what they say. As soon as one asks “why <your subject here>”, they become defensive and discourteous. Unexamined beliefs often do not fare well when exposed to the light of inquiry.

One qualification to the above; how a “why” is presented can make or break the question. There are times when an answer cannot be brief, if it is to be correct. On occasion, people insist on brevity which is inadequate for the explanation.

[PantyFanatic]

Why did you have to ask that Belial? :rolleyes:

[GingerV]

Dunno really. Some people may think that asking "why" implies a lack of belief or acceptance of their assertion, and is therefore a personal insult of some sort. Truth, sometimes folks are right in that interpretation....I know a least some of the time my "why"s imply that I don't believe someone YET...frequently because I simply don't understand them. I don't think their dislike implies they don't have an answer or haven't thought deeper (although sometimes they haven't), I think it's just that they think it implies a lack of respect. At least, that's what you'll get with some of my family.

Still, I think any Why question, however motivated, is good...it can't help but make a shallow conversation deeper. Lets you talk about reasons instead of just comparing conclusions. ;)

[cowgirltease]

You can ask me why all you want darlin, and it won't bother me one bit.;)

[Teddy Bear]

I agree with all the previous posters.

Why?

Cause thier smart and answered as I would have had I been here first.

Why?

Ask them..... thier the smart ones. :) :D :p

[Irish]

Why,do you want to know? Irish
P.S.PF was first,which only shows that great minds think alike!

[fzzy]

LOL ... not sure I've ever found Why offensive, but sometimes the rest of the question could be .... i.e., Why are you so ugly? or even if you ask what sounds like a nice question to the wrong person ... i.e., Why are you so beautiful ... asked of a man who has some macho issues.

Then there are the why questions that have nothing to do with wanting to gather information, but wanting to gather justification ... if you need an example of that, view a certain recent thread by one of our members believing lies are being told to him.

Then there's the why questions to someone who doesn't know the answer ... or who maybe spends too much time already answering why questions ... i.e., mother of young children who hears why and how come questions all day long may be a little hostile about a why question when she finally gets the chance to spend some time with adults.

... I'm sure none of your why questions fall into these categories, but since it's a place of public viewing I just thought I'd throw them out there .... somewhat playfully and somewhat seriously. Do with my comments what you will. :)

[Cheyanne]

When faced with the "why" question too many times I usually respond with "Because MOM said!"

I don't know B..., when someone asks me why - to me they are interested in what I have to say, or need further information in order to understand what I mean. I very seldom have a problem with people who ask me why - unless it is my children and they are asking why I told them no... lol

[Booger]

why not

[huntersgirl]

Again I will add it depends on how the why is asked....if it is a sincere question I have no problem with it. If it is just for the sake of arguement it bugs me, but that's because my 11 year old has totally abused that privilege.;)

[lakritze]

Do you remember Donald Southerland's "Special OPS" character in Oliver Stone's movie JFK? Most important question you cam ask is WHY?

[LixyChick]

Who, What, WHY, Where and When? It is the nature of us to be curious! If asked in an offensive tone...then it becomes offensive! It isn't the question, [why?]...but the tone of the interviewer in the context of the question!

(((((((Belial)))))))...Good question hun! But...why?

[Belial]

Because, Lixy, I'm sick of the reactions to that very question (asked in what I consider a reasonable manner) from one or two people that I know. I have decided that no longer will those reactions from those people be cause for anguish or introspection on my part because I no longer care about them.