I Don't Know!

Not at all sarahruthbeth22. No one in this world knows everything. Nothing wrong in asking questions. I love people asking questions. I answer stupid questions of small children too patiently.I do ask questions to people who will not mind answering them. I know you are one of such good persons.

This discussion brings to mind a teacher I once had in grade school, sarah. To him uttering those 3 little words were a punishable offense(meaning a paddling). He had us students so afraid to say "I don't know," that we resorted to making up any kind of answer to avoid the punishment. I didn't agree with him then, and as I grew older I felt that he should have not been allowed to teach impressionable children with such an attitude. It's no shame to admit that you don't know the answer to something - just a shame if you don't try to find out.

Not really.. I would rather have someone be up front and honest about not knowing something, than (like you said) pretend like they know what you're talking about.. I've been in situations, especially at work, where I just don't KNOW the answer. I'll usually let them know that I DON'T know instead of lie just to make myself look "smarter". Usually, I'll try to redirect them to someone who WOULD know or find out somehow for them a correct answer. Definitely no on your original question, though, it doesn't make a person STUPID because they "don't know" certain things. I mean, if you asked them "What's 2+2?" and they said in all honesty, they don't know, then I would be a little concerned about their intelligence (or lack there of), but generally, we are humans - there is NO way we can know EVERYTHING about EVERYTHING, you know?

I hear the phrase "I don't know" so much that i really don't pay that much attention to it. This is what people usually say when they don;t know what else to say. it dosn't mean that they are not intellligent. it is just a lazy comment we can make because we can.

I used to pretend to know everything at work. I was working under a boss who demanded that her subordinates know a lot of things. Although I 'winged' it most of the time, I usually did OK. And this approach brought me a lot of success. I've changed bosses a few times already. And up until last year, I've started changing my approach towards my job. I've started using 'I don't know' on things I have no idea of. I was surprised that I didn't get punished by it. It's not as exciting, but I think it's alright. So, I don't think anybody is stupid when they say I don't know.

hi there sarah, definitely NOT! I don't think answering 'I don't know' reveal stupidity on a person.. In my case, I would rather prefer an 'I don't know' answer rather than a misleading answer. Misleading in the sense that they really do not know anything about what I asked but pushes themselves to answer me something and yet it just turns out to be misleading me.. Me myself, never refuses to ask questions if I want to.. Like on a place I am not familiar with, I would really ask somebody so as to avoid myself from wasting so much of my time seeking for that location.. And I don't see a point why they should think I am stupid for asking them something.. At least I won't be lost.. Maybe those who think that asking questions make someone look stupid are actually the ones who are 'stupid'

Of course not! I do not know so many things; in fact what I know is a miniscule insigngnificant dust particle in this Universe. How can I know a lot? The more we read the more inadequate we feel. SOme people are immature and think this way.

They're stupider if they don't know and they don't speak up!

No I don't think a person is stupid if they ask a question! I would think they were stupid if they asked the same question over and over again! There are people like that! They do it because they are lazy or clueless! I ask questions all the time! I see nothing wrong with it! I do this to make sure I am doing somethimg right at work. I also do this if I don't know something. It one way of learning in this world!

To question is the start on the road to wisdom. No one gains wisdom without questions.Those who do ask questions aren't stupid. They are the smart ones!!

I always prefer to ask a question straight away if I didn't understand on something. I also am not afraid to say I don't know when I'm asked about question I dunno the answer of, though many times I got the strange and annoying stares from others because seems like they all know it. But so what? I dunno know it, so may I know it? Not every people around us know all the same thing at the same time, but some people are stupid enough to think just because they already know the thing, then they heard someone else dunno about it, then they start asking, "what? they dunno it?". That is why I didn't fail in my school and all my exams lol, because I always asked, be honest if I really dunno the thing.

I think that is better to ask if we don't know something at all or don't know for sure what something is or what to do. My parents always said me to ask when I don't know something and maybe I will find an answer to my question. My mom said that it won't hurt my mouth if I ask somebody something. And if somebody answers "I don't know" maybe he is telling the truth or wants to avoid the subject. Either way, their answer has to be respected and treated as they should.

For me asking a question doesn't mean you are totally stupid. It only shows that we are curious to know every thing. Also, it is better to say "I Don't Know!" than to say "I know" even though your not. however, saying I don't know always should not be tolerate. God gave us wisdom and knowledge. Practice it! Use every resources God given us. And let God teach you. Learn everything but be sure to pick only good thing that will benefit you more!

No! it doesn't show any stupidity at all. Sometimes, people really don't know the answer, but sometimes people are afraid to answer because they might misinterpret the question. Some words are better left unsaid.

No....that doesn't qualify anyone for being stupid. Just the opposite. If someone thinks they know everything without asking questions....now that would be questionable!

well its much better to ask questions then to f*ck things up later on,lol. asking questions are worth it no matter what people think or say.