Asking a question: a controdiction?

[Mitchell Maltenfort]

and on the other hand, we have people who barge in without even
pausing to observe whether someone is hunched over a computer frowning
and/or typing like mad.

So we have two problems relevant to people on this list:

(1) how do we advertise "do not disturb" without making co-workers
sore?  That can be murder in a shared office.

(2) what's the best tactic for inquiring whether someone can answer a
question right at the moment?

I usually avoid question #2 by using email, which people can respond
to in their own time.

On Nov 21, 2007 1:32 AM, Aaron Ciner <acnore878 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> When people ask strangers for help or advice,
>
> they usually say "can I bother you?" or "can I ask
>  you a question?"
>
>
>
>
>
> This is a blatant contradiction; by asking the question,
>
>
>
>
>
> they are implying
> that they have no right to simply disturb
>
> the stranger without permission and, yet, they disturb the
>  stranger without permission. (what are they thinking??)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I think people who have questions for stranger,
>
> they should say either, "can I ask another
>
>
>
> question," or "can
> I further bother you."
>
>
>
> I know this is a tech. writing and not tech. communication.
>
> But it's close enough.
>
>
>
>
> -Aaron Ciner-
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
I can answer any question.
"I don't know" is an answer.
"I don't know yet" is a better answer.