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What an incredibly dismissive and rude thing to do, horrible advice.

Wait until somebody bothers you enough times.

It's not dismissive or rude

You just didn't read the tip correctly.

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You know what is a better way to do this? Whip out your phone and say "Let's google this". That way you're actively helping the person AND empowering them to find their answers by showing them how to do it.

Better LPT, if someone is asking you easily looked up questions they're trying to start up a conversation with you. See original LPT on how to burn that bridge before it ever gets built. Try talking to them it might be fun.

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If you're trying to improve and change behavior, yes.

"What did DDG say?"

Maybe its that one coworker or family member who is too lazy to look up info or make a little effort to learn for themselves. Once you're at the fifth or sixth time it's not an attempt at conversation.

Ah yes, why have a normal conversation when you could be on your phone instead!

What did LMGTFY say?

Is it, though?

If Its faster to ask google than wait for a response...

You tend to question the IQ.

Even if it is faster, this is just not a polite way to interact with a person.

This is true but there's better ways of handling that than being as rude as their tip comes off.

If its a weak question it is not inviting. Its annoying.

Want to engage? Ask smart.

That doesn’t matter. Someone asking a dumb question is not an excuse to be rude to them.

Oh yes let's be a condescending dickwaffle anytime somebody asks you a question that could be looked up.

Yes it is dismissive and makes you sound like a royal assbag.

I dont mean dumb.

I mean low effort.

Like , whats the nearest grocery store to X street?

It does not matter. There is no question that justifies this kind of snarky rude response, period.

There are worse replys to make your stand on.

This is not the hill for you to die on.

I’m not making a stand, I’m attacking. You’re the one defending this garbage behavior for no good reason.

On the contrary.

A very good reason.

Your reason is that someone mildly annoying you gives you free license to be rude to them in return.

That just makes you an asshole.

Please go back and read the tip.

This is about somebody who is annoying and persistently lazy.

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You didn't read the LPT.

I think you should go back and check it.

If not, what did Google say?

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AITA: for not engaging someone in polite conversation and instead being passive aggressive and dismissive?

I did read it. This isn't how the post comes off. It makes you sound like an asshole. Why is it do you think so many others are responding the same way I did? As someone who is awkward in face to face conversations I've been told this exact thing I wasn't being persistent or lazy I just wanted to interact with the person and I wasn't sure how to and it hurt to be dismissed like that. It makes trying to talk to another person that much harder.

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Shit tip.

yeah, I read your LPT and it's condescending and douchey. I can see why you have no friends.

I'm truly sorry that I upset you. I can assure you that my comment was genuine and I honestly felt like I was using the proper words to help. I'll work on my message in the future to make it more palatable. Have a good day, friend!

Here is your "LPT" verbatim:

>Productivity LPT: If somebody keeps asking you questions they can easily look up on their phone, always respond with, "What did Google say?" Eventually, they'll figure it out.

Now, pray tell ... where does it say "constant annoyance" in there?

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The is a website for this

https://letmegooglethat.com/

It generates a Google page, types in their search and then dumps them into the actual Google page with the search pre-populated

Sorry your coworkers are pestering you but it's usually better to be direct in a professional setting. I just tell juniors to do their proper research before bombarding me with questions.

Outside of work this feels a bit rude though. My GF asks me how traffic or the weather is daily. I'll answer and transition the conversation to other aspects of the day. We call this "small talk".

LPT: if someone asks you questions that google can easily answer, it’s because they trust and value your opinion.

Ah yes, having a polite conversation with someone instead of staring at your phone is the way we should be going as a species. Should probably include looking them up on Facebook instead of asking how their children are doing also.

More like how to be a condescending ass.

100% this.

You should give up on holding this line. That's not what your tip said. Revisionist history.

I see you George Santos.

Everyone read your tip correctly, don't worry. Stop being a passive aggressive douche. You can just say "I'm sorry, I am a bit busy, can you please just google it".

/r/outoftheloop in shambles now

Not for long though, with that attitude 😂

Definitely not my go-to first response, but I've been known to tell my SO to google whatever question he has on occasion. Those occasions being when we're driving home after work and I'm plugging away on my phone at something I've wanted to get done all day, but couldn't because of work, and he decides he needs to ask many questions in succession. I will try to answer them as much as I can, but it does sometimes land on "I don't know, you should probably google that". Which usually gets a me "Okay, you're not driving, you google it." Which... yes, I could, in fact google it to give him the satisfaction of the answer right then and there, but I am also very obviously doing something and the thing that I am doing is not less important than some random piece of information you decided you needed to know thirty seconds ago.

So, like many have said, definitely not a go-to response in general conversation, but plausible in some situations.

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In addition to what others have said, sometimes people also would like to ask a reliable source with experience rather than strangers on the internet where you have no idea what their experience or background on the matter is

When I'm driving with my wife, I don't really ask questions, I'll just kind of wonder out loud to myself, and usually she's also interested in knowing the answer, so she looks it up and then tells me.

Or you can try to not be an asshole and see how that goes

This. People just trying to connect n talk not get told or sent a link to google.com

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There's a difference between someone asking 'hey, what do you think is the tallest building in the world?' and 'what's the tallest building in the world?'

One would be me giving my best guess and one is a query literally directed at Google. I'm not siri, talk to me like a person.

I have a coworker who is like this sometimes and I just say 'I don't care' when they ask me questions for a search engine.

Looks like the people in the comments here never met someone who never does their own due diligence and expects everyone else to find answers to things for them 🤣

thiissss

It’s not inherently rude.

Better title: how to send people off like a dick and make enemies everywhere you go.

You struggle in social settings don’t you buddy?

Or what would google say?

No thanks, I'm not a jerk.

Applies mostly to low-effort posts on r/NoStupidQuestions.

Bro lol. Some people are so socially inept it’s scary

Respectfully, I think you misread the post.

This is a suggestion for people who take advantage of other people.

Would you care to read it again and possibly reconsider?

They are the people this is about!

Thank you for bringing that to my attention. Lol!

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Actually, no.

This is a case of appropriately setting boundaries and not rewarding laziness.

I have to give you a point for cleverness in your response, but overall, you misunderstood the post and then further made yourself look foolish by commenting on the misunderstanding in a way that you hoped would make you look clever and mildly snotty / condescending.

Sadly, you didn't own me.

I have been owning you this entire paragraph.

Go back and read it.

You can also miss read something and comment on it, thus proving you're one of the people that it's about.

Seriously, context!

The people who don't get it, are the ones it's about. It's pretty simple.

Read, comprehend.

Once or twice, sure. Every effing time?

SMH.

You are lucky man.

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Respectfully, reread it.

It's not a go-to response. It's the last response you make before screaming, I'm busy. I can't keep looking things up for you. Do your own work!

Everyone?

Not only can't you read the original post, you can't even read the rum.

It's about people like you, if you haven't figured that out.

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You have never been taken advantage of?

I bet you flatter easily and fold.

That's the idea, genius.

Some of us have things to do and we can't keep helping others, like the people who don't actually get the original post.

If you can't find the loser in the crowd, then it's you.

Trust me, I've been there many times. Eventually you get smart enough to tell people to pound sand.

I hope you keep your idealism and kindness.

What part of "keeps" should I have been clearer on?

I'm sorry if it doesn't denote annoying, lazy, or anything that it was intended to.

I hope your life is peaches and cream and that your farts continue to smell like perfume.

No, it's about you. You didn't read it.

There's one word that begins with a k that's very important to the understanding of it.

In case you hadn't noticed, this is condescending.

You are welcome.

Not really.

If you don't want to answer, just politely say you dont know and theyll find it out by themselves or from someone else.

Sarcasm, condescending tone, and rude remarks earn you lifetime enemies and a reputation of being a dick.

If you don't agree, that's fine. You'll learn soon enough.

There are annoying people outside of the workplace, too.

You can say, what did Google say, without offending anybody, right?

Check it out and tell me what Google says. I have faith in you.

Wow. You are awesome. That is so meta.

Why do somebody else's work when you could be earning your own paycheck instead of theirs for them?

"keeps" didn't trigger anything with you?

I'm so sorry I'm such a terrible writer.

Edit: noticed I followed it up with questions they can EASILY...

Funny how you think EVERYONE read the post wrong. I bet you’re fun at parties.

If somebody keeps annoying you to do easy things they are too lazy to do, how would you respond?

Do you think this would train somebody to look up stuff for themselves and save other people annoyance?

Did you even read the tip?

"Keep" & "easily"are in there.

"keep" & "easily" wasn't enough?

I disagree. Why don't you Google what the best approach is and let me know?

So, you want somebody to keep bothering you to do easy things for them they are too lazy to do?

You're a better person than I.

You missed two key things.

KEEP & EASILY.

You're the kind of person this post is about.

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How do you think I learned?

I'm not too proud to admit it.

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Instead of reflecting OP just comes in here to defend his LPT even when it’s a jerk move

I'm the life of the party.

If you want to keep doing work for somebody who's too lazy to do something they can easily do, you're a better person than I am.

When I work, I don't want to do somebody else's work for them. I want to spend my time earning my paycheck. Earning their paycheck for them doesn't do me any good after the 5th or 6th time of being a polite co-worker, or the hundredth, or the thousands.

You got to know when to draw the line or people take advantage of you.

I'll learn soon enough? I have decades on you.

I do not want to do someone else's work for them after 5 or 10 times of helping out.

I don't want to explain this to you anymore, because, You are the kind of person This is aboat.

You don't listen!

Well, I'm going to stop.

Obviously, you didn't read the tip, you're not listening. You're in the half that it's about.

I can't explain it anymore. Goodbye.

decaded of having no social skill. Being around you must be a joy.

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At first I thought you were just a little confused on how to be polite, but now I see that you are simply an insufferable prick.

I dont write LPT how to be a shitty person though 🙃

😂

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Literally a simple "I'm not sure, maybe ask Google" is better than this LPT.

Well I googled “is OP an asshole?” and the result was “yes”

Lmao every time someone calls OP out for being a passive aggressive douche, OP responds with “…what did google say” further cementing the douchey impression they gave off in the post description

You and your potty mouth.

Get off your high horse, you're no better.

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I give you a point for making me chuckle.

Well done!

You sound like an incessant toddler now.

Let me divulge a secret then.

If everyone and their mother tell you your behavior is inappropriate, it likely is. Stop defending it.

I definitely treat people better. Someone comes to me asking a question, I sure as hell don't respond by telling them to Google it before daring to ask my assistant.

You guys getting trolled lol

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You seem like a douche, people are just trying to start a conversation with you Jesus you sound exhausting.

Client: Really freakin’ simple question. Me: Let me google that for you.

true that.... and I totally don't deserve to be this lucky

Love this haha. Only experience in life would tell you this, and you just might have it.

You’re an asshole. Who hurt you that you think someone who is asking you questions must be taking advantage of you…

The real life let me Google that for you.

This response kinda proves his point.

Most teenage ass response I’ve ever read 😂

Tallest building in the world? Yup, that would be the Burj Khalifa in Dubai

https://youtu.be/BQ6aZnyeSpo

Don't do this It's not actually about the question, it's about the connection they're trying to establish with you.

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Do you mean: how to be a manager of any type. Guiding people to the answer so it sticks instead of telling them over and over again!

One time or a few times, maybe, but constantly is too much.

http://www.iwgtfy.com/

You're not doing such a hot job, yourself.

Let me let you win on a secret, it's not everybody. Just a few vocal people like you.

Guess what, you're just as bad as you're saying I am.

You didn't read the statement.

It's not somebody asking you a question it's somebody constantly asking you questions and annoying you and asking you to do their work for them.

Try again.

You're not winning any awards, either.

You're not winning any points.

Go look in the mirror. You're just as bad

Thank you, Ms manners.

Nice. Keep it up. You're a sparkling example of an effervescent personality, not.

This is less an LPT and more of an IATA

https://www.google.com/search?q=why+not+google+every+question&iflsig=

It responds with multiple articles. They come to the conclusion that doing so is harmful in a variety of ways. The one that struck me the most is that it dulls your curiosity.

I ask my husband questions I know the answers to or questions I can Google just in hopes that he'll put his phone down and engage in a conversation with me. Many people do this just to try to break the ice and get talking.

My best friend text me questions all the time she would get a faster answer from google. And sometimes I even look it up before I respond. Especially right now, she is 10 weeks pregnant and I’m 36 so she keeps asking me about pregnancy stuff which is fine but like I’m tired and my feet hurt I don’t want to talk about your puking

Found the narcissistic asshole.

Communication is a two way street, it may be obvious to you what you mean, but clearly it wasn’t sufficient for the vast majority of people here. When you elaborate a little further it does become more clear, but I can very much see why the initial post didn’t work for most. No offense, you are coming off as very combative about it and unwilling to trying seeing from others side with comments like this.

I concur if it’s a colleague or someone else who should be finding this stuff on their own time then it can be quite annoying, but if it’s someone who just wants to have a conversation with you then I see it as endearing.

Wow. Thank you. You get a gold star! :-)

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Absolutely. You can be nice the first few times, but, seriously?

There are always people who want to take advantage of you.

Is it really trolling, if no one but the OP gets mad, and everyone sees through them?

There certainly are people like that, but it could be other things like they are trying to get more social interaction in their life, or it’s just not a habit of theirs to look things up on their own.

I moved across the US a year ago for a job and I did find myself more likely to ask little things than I do know as I developed a better social life outside of work. I agree that smaller hints like you suggest with asking about what Google says in a kind tone could help push them in a good direction.

You are leaving out context.

We can discuss a variety of situations, but if you're sitting at your desk trying to get work done and your workmate, who shouldn't be socializing, constantly badges you to do their work for them, you need to draw a line in the sand.

How come you're just insulting people that disagree with you lol? Just as bad my ass. He's right man. You're just an asshole. LPT: just be nice to people.

I like how you resort to just saying "well you're dumb too!" Really makes you not look like you're a middle schooler. Totally.

You missed the point.

You're trying to point out that I can be better, but you're no better yourself.

Try leading by example, friend.

Disagreeing with me or being insulting and rude?

Don't let the tone of the content blind you from its delivery and the people who deliver it.

I think you failed. You could probably have been nicer in the response, but you weren't.

See, it's not easy being human. Goodbye.

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oh man this was a great thread. had a lot of laughs from OPs very aggressive responses.

posts like these are what keep me still subscribed to this sub lol. r/starterpacks is also another good one.

LPT: Don't listen to LPTs.

You are sarcastically saying I’m a sparkling example of an enthusiastic personality because I called you out for sounding immature? What?

Your insistent misuse of big words confirms you cannot be older than 21.

What was that quote about not being able to spot a loser in a crowd?

Ofc I’m leaving out that context, I don’t know the intricacies of your situation unless you tell me them. Yes, I would def agree in that situation a boundary would need to be enforced

Just accept that your "tip" was garbage and move on princess

A way better response is to give them the answer, and what you googled to get the answer.

So, like, when an intern tells me "This ticket says it doesn't work with nmcli and I don't know what that is. What should I do?" I go "Huh.... ok, so I googled nmcli and it turns out it's a command-line network manager tool. Have you tried running it from the command line?"

That way, you convey the information that they should google that kind of thing in the future, but don't imply that they're stupid for not knowing it automatically, and you still give them the opportunity to talk through it with you.

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I like using this because while you get to mock them for asking a stupid question you’re also helping them get the answer

It's pretty passive aggressive and I wish I could use it more than I do.

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