Are you too stubborn to ask how to do things?
By Leca
@lecanis (16647)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
March 3, 2007 9:00am CST
Okay, I have a confession to make. Technically I've been able to post photos here since I hit 500 posts, which was over 200 posts ago. However, I finally just managed it a couple of minutes ago.
I've tried several times, but I would fill in all the photo information, and then hit "post reply" or whatever without actually adding the photo first. I didn't know what I was doing wrong, I didn't know how to fix it, and I was too embaressed to ask. So now that I finally figured it out, I realized how easy it would have been to start a discussion asking how to do it, or even to fire off a message to one of my friends asking how. So why didn't I just do that in the first place?
Are you too stubborn to ask how to do things? Or, if you do ask for help, do you ask right away or spend some time trying to figure it out on your own first?
5 people like this
24 responses
@sjohnson628 (3197)
• United States
3 Mar 07
Do you have to wait for 500 posts to post photos? because I posted photos at like 30 posts on mine.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
3 Mar 07
Really? You can post photos on discussions? Because I didn't have the option show up for me until I had 500 posts.
Before that, I was able to post photos on my profile though, or under interests. Just not on discussions. Now everytime I reply to a discussion there's a little blue "add an image" in the bottom left of the screen.
I wonder if maybe they changed the rules really recently or something.
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
3 Mar 07
I think most of the time, I would rather try and figure things out for myself. Then again, it depends on how complicated it might be. And at other times, I think if I can work things out on my own, fine, and if not, it doesn't really matter. It just depends on whether or not it is really that important. Sometimes, even with an explanation, I have difficulties. As times goes by, I find myself wanting to waste less time on trying to figure things out, especially if I have no definite interest in them.
1 person likes this
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
3 Mar 07
if i encounter something new, i always try to figure things out first all by myself. i go through all the details until i finally get everything done.
but there are times that whatever we do, we just can't get something right. and that's the time when i ask questions. the thing is, i won't stop asking until i get to do it all right. i'm kinda annoying i know. but atleast, it's better to ask and get help than act as if i know everything.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
3 Mar 07
If I don't get it right the first time, I'll ask for help here at MyLot.
You will usually get 4 or 5 replies right away with the correct information.
The people here are so very helpful.
Lloyd
@ag_abscruzmd (2283)
• United States
3 Mar 07
I think it comes with upbringing. We were taught to be more independent (in the family) so I would normally try to figure things out first before asking for anyone's help. It could have taken a longer time, but there are so many expectations from my family and friends that I could work things out on my own. I would rather waste my precious time than lose face. Hahaha. I don't know if this is a good thing. It's just that I think people have their own ways with things.
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
3 Mar 07
It could be that it has to do with upbringing. I'm very independant for a different reason than you are, but I was one of those kids who took care of their parents more than their parents took care of them. So I often don't ask for help just because it doesn't come naturally to me.
I think you're right that people just have their own ways, and there's nothing wrong with that. =)
@PurpleTeddyBear (6685)
• Canada
3 Mar 07
I always try and figure it out first. I get to the point that I am sooooo ticked off that I could spit fire. Then I will ask for help lol. I don't know why I do it because it would be easier and save a lot of frustration, but I guess it's like some men and asking for directions lol.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
3 Mar 07
Haha, me too.
If I can find instructions somehwhere on my own that I can read, without having to ask anyone, I will usually read those. I just don't want to admit to anyone else that I can't figure it out my own.
Ah, the ever famous "men and directions". =p
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
•
4 Mar 07
I will always try to do something myself first. However, i guess for me its a pride thing. I really dont like being thought of as stupid, lol so will carry on blundering about until i either hit on how to do it or i carry on trying lol. Sometimes it can take years
blessed be
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
3 Mar 07
If I can't figure something out within a reasonable amount of time I'll either try to find the answer, looking on web or what have you, or I'll ask someone who might know. I've learned after hours of frustration and banging my head on the wall only to have it be a simple thing I was missing that I now ask. It's less of a headache to look unknowledgable then to have tons of frustration from a problem.
@thanzm (193)
• Qatar
4 Mar 07
Ya thats so natural for me. I never go outright and ask for directions, I prefer wasting half the petrol on a discovery mission before asking someone. The same goes with many other things. And there are times when this attitude has helped. Like when i got broadband i didnt know anything about Torrents and the biggest mistake i ever did was ask my computer sir about them.
@soumyaraj (401)
• India
4 Mar 07
For me it really depends on the problem and the state of my mind......if my mind says I can do it....I will defitely be able to do it ....without asking anybody help...which happens most of the times.....but sometimes there r things I will want to have but cant do it....I asks for help...it also depends on how badly i want that particular thing.....
@liranlgo (5752)
• Israel
4 Mar 07
well i am a stubborn person i have to admit to it
i used to have trouble to ask how do to things at the past cause of my decision to try to succeed by meself
i think that maybe the true reason was that i could not really admit that there are things i do not know, i would be affraid that people would thing i was stupid. i was born to a family of a very educated members and us children had to know alote of things, if we didn't know somthing we had to find the answers ourselfs in the books.
but today i believe i am not like this.
still stubborn but am learning to ask questions when i don't know:)
@ironstruck (2298)
• Canada
4 Mar 07
I only started using computers a few years ago. So you can imagine how much I had to learn.
Everything was an adventure. Sometimes I would spend hours trying to do something that now takes minutes. Like for instance, uploading pictures. The same problem you had.
I think it is always best to try yourself first. It seems to be easier to remember once you have struggled over a problem and solved it. However, there is a point where you gave it your best shot and its time to call for the computer police.
I don't think you were wrong or even necessarily stubborn. I would look at it more as being independent and there is not a thing wrong with that.
Let's face it, you will never forget how it is done now.
@champr23 (687)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Yes. I am exactly that. Too stubborn to ask how to do things. I will try to do things on my own N not ask for help until I really need it. I guess it depends on who I am asking. If I am asking my mom, its different then when I have to ask a random person or even a friend for help. Men find strength in independency. Oh, uhh, i'll do that one myself. :). But Johnny no one ever taught you how to fix the kinfler pins on a rear suspension four door Chevy.
@coolcatzz (1587)
• Canada
3 Mar 07
Nope on the contrary I am always asking how to do stuff.
I think people don't do it for the most part because like you said they are embarrassed and probably think the other person might think they are dumb or something. But that is not the case. Most people love to share their knowledge. Either way I'm glad you got it figured out.
@agfarm (930)
• United States
4 Mar 07
I'm actually old enough , that I've figured out that if I don't Know about something...that I will ask for help. I have ruined enough things in the past , and spent way too much money trying to " fix- it " that I find it's a lot cheaper to ask for assistance in the first place. I'm guilty of trying to figure it out on my own , but after a while....that gets expensive.
@TheOriginalRed1 (512)
• United States
4 Mar 07
Far so many years I didn't have anyone I could ask and I learned to depend on my of wits and stubbornness to get me by. Now that I have someone that is will and able to help when I need it I have to keep reminding myself that it is all right to ask for help. Have to admit it still bugs me to have to ask for help, it's the fear of losing some of the hard fought independence I think.
@whalebone (21)
• United States
4 Mar 07
I'm guilty to not asking for help when I need it. When I don't know how to do something I'll spend a lot of time trying to figure it out before asking for help. And when I don't know the answer I'll usually make something up.
