If someone responds to a question with a humorous answer, when is it appropriate to give not helpfull points?
by 
Wigster78
ANSWERS: 9
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Personally I do not give down rates i would just leave a comment saying that the humour was not appreciated. If it is a serious question most people will not give humorous answers unless it is worded in a way that they have mistaken the context of the question.
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I generally only give negative ratings if the humour is (in my judgement) inappropriate or offensive. I only give a positive if the answer is genuinely funny, ie makes me laugh, or at least smile.
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well, i dont think u should, they're just trying to have some fun! whats wrong with that? But if it's like gross.. thenn yeaa u can rate it down
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Even if an answer isn't helpful, if it makes me smile or laugh I figure it's worth a couple points.
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I think it's a matter of opinion, generally speaking. I've given points simply because an answer was witty and made me laugh. The answer was harmless, and usually there were more serious responses that easily could meet the question's actual need for a "straight up" answer. A little levity sometimes helps put things in perspective.
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At the end of the day you must make this decision yourself. My suggestion would be that if it fills the brief - i.e. it answers your question - then it is either to be left alone or uprated. If it is humorous, and makes you laugh, then it is probably also worth uprating. If it is malicious or deliberately fails to answer your question then it deserves downrating. Of course some questions beg to be answered humorously, and others can only be answered with a slightly malicious comment. As examples: Q "What is two plus two?", A "Hold on 'til I get my abacus". Q "Why are you so thick?" A "Because it was the only way I could face having sex with your mother". Maybe not great examples, but you get the idea.
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I try to answer serious questions seriously but I have thrown a joke here or there. People can be picky. In then end it's up to you. Be yourself or be what you think other people will +rate. I choose to be myself.
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I never give downratings. I consider downrating inappropriate, and I never had to regret this choice. However, I can understand that some people use downratings, if they do it with moderation.
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I'm all about the funny answers, so I very rarely downrate. But there is a time and place for funny answers. On super serious questions, I can see it being offensive and getting a down rating. While what is appropriate may differ from person to person, I think everyone here generally has the same idea of what's appropriate and what's not.
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