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by Wigster78 on February 19th, 2007

Wigster78

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If someone responds to a question with a humorous answer, when is it appropriate to give not helpfull points?

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Answers. 9 helpful answers below.

  • by Ullyses on February 19th, 2007

    Ullyses

    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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  • by Redhawk on February 19th, 2007

    Redhawk

    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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  • by Anonymous on December 20th, 2007

    Anonymous

    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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  • by Gideon on February 19th, 2007

    Gideon

    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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  • by Miss. Tandra on February 19th, 2007

    Miss. Tandra

    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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  • by DavidHume on February 19th, 2007

    DavidHume

    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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  • by Firebrand on February 19th, 2007

    Firebrand

    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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  • by Squirrel Face on June 5th, 2008

    Squirrel Face

    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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  • by iwnit on June 5th, 2008

    iwnit

    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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