What's Wrong With Asking?

by Nyllone

 

We all need to ask a question one time or another.  It may be something we need to clarify.  Something we would like to learn about.  Something that we are not sure of.  Or something we do not really know.  Basic members, premium members, Island Guides.  Everyone.  We all have questions sometimes. 

Honestly, it would be easier to ask a question if you're a basic member.  After all, new members are expected to ask questions.  In fact, you can ask almost anything you can imagine.  There-related or not.  Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's smart.  Sometimes it's shocking, and at times it can be irritating.  Questions such as "Can you give me your credit card number?" "If I log out, will the game be saved?"  "Can you hit people here?"  "Do you look like your hot avie?"  You know you have to answer.  As factual as you can.  As patient.  And as nice. 

But when a premium member asks a question, sometimes patience wanes, and out comes sarcasm from premium members alike.  You can get remarks such as "How long have you been here not to know that?"  "You NOOB!"  "Read There Central!"  and the likes.  Sad but true.  Asking a question to a not-so-nice member who is having a bad day can sometimes make you feel sorry you ever asked.  Answers, remarks and/or reactions can range from plain ignoring you, to sarcastic quips, to downright insult that can make a sensitive avie cry and think of leaving game.  Too much drama?  Well, that can really happen. 

Then again, not all premiums get rude remarks for asking.  Most members still get the information they ask for, because most people in There, I believe, are helpful and nice.  There was one premium who came up to me with an introduction:  "Hi, I am not new.  But I have a question."  I could feel the hesitation but I guess he really needed to know that's why he asked me.  So I tried to help him the best I can, because I felt how hard it was for him to ask a question being "not new".  I guess, there is a stereotype in premiums that they know more, if not all. 

As a baby Island Guide, I do not pose to look as if I know everything.  Because I do not.  The golden star does not feed me the information I need.  Contrary to what new members thought, and as what one has asked me, "You know everything, do you?"  I still have to confer with co-IGs and the Greeters about certain things.  I ask when I have to clear some things, or when I simply have no idea on a question asked.  And like a regular premium member, I ask away.  I am grateful that Island Guide Central makes it easy for me to ask because most of the members are very warm and helpful.  And help is available almost all times.   

 

If there is something to gain

and nothing to lose by asking,

by all means ask! 

- W. Clement Stone

  

Having said that, isn't it comforting to know that everybody asks a question at one point in their There life?  Everybody goes through the phase of learning, and learning some more.  Be they basic, prems, or IGs.  Heck, I think we never get through that phase of learning.  Or do we?  At one point in our There Lives, we say the words:  what, where, when, why and how. 

In fact, I have a question almost every day.  There-related and sometimes, not at all.  I ask my closest buds about it and if we can't come up with a concrete answer, we ask away.  And why not?  Pride cannot answer the questions that we have.   

Are we being too inquisitive to ask a question?  I guess not.  As long as the question is legitimate, and we ask in a nice way, we deserve an appropriate answer.  After all, we are expected to be curious about the World we are in, otherwise, the interest is not actually There at all.   

Yes, curiosity killed the cat.  But since avies don't die, what's wrong with asking?