What do you mean by “all the time”? Hyperbole? Seriously? Can you give a few examples?
Why do you want to know?
No I don’t. I actually find it to be an interesting way to counter someone’s argument. I find threads that do this a lot very interesting to read.
We Jews have raised answering a question with a question to an art form. In fact, a psychiatrist in my Jewish study group shared that workers could not gather data on Jewish patients with the survey form they used. This was because the survey required definite answers and all the Hebrews would keep answering questions with questions.
Question #1 “How do you feel?”
“So how should I feel?”
and so on.
This is something I used to teach my students in my Speech Class.
If you have someone prying into your life, or simply asking things that are none of their business, keep the rule of “only answer a question with a question” active until you can get the person to stop asking a question.
For instance:
“Are you dating anyone?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Just wondering - are you seeing anyone regularly?”
“Are you trying to hit on me?”
“Ha - no. Are you dating some guy or girl?”
“Are you trying to set me up on a date?”
“No.”
“OK then.” and then walk away.
It is a great rule of thumb to ensure you never tell anyone what they are trying to find out if you keep answering questions with questions. Eventually they will relent and answer one of your questions and you can then declare the conversation over.
Of course, it is just as easy to say “none of your business”, but this rarely stops the prying asshole who wants to know your sexual life, how much money you make, where you work, where you are going tonight, where you went last night, if you drink or do drugs, if you voted for a specific candidate, etc. etc. etc.
Stick to the mantra: “Answer only with questions!”
Give it a try the next time someone starts to pry into an area you don’t want to discuss, especially with that person. Works like a charm.
As seen on Frasier:
Martin: I don’t know how to be Jewish.
Niles: Well, just answer questions with a question.
Martin: Like what?
Niles: What, I have to explain everything?
Martin: Can’t you give me an example?
Niles: What, I should give you an example?
Martin: Are you going to help me or not?
Niles: You’re saying I’m not being helpful?
Martin: Oh, forget it!