When some folks don't know they ask. Others remain silent and pretend they know but they learn from those who answer the questions. Which do you think is the best thing to do? Why?

If you ask the right person or source, you get your answers faster.

But if what you want to learn is about people, some don't like direct questions

and so listening is best.

From a teaching perspective Rosie, I don't care.  :)

Those who pretend they know can only support the pretence by not addressing what they 'know' and being silent.  You know the saying; 'Better to remain silent and have people think you're a fool than to open your mouth and confirm it'.  

If they don't keep quiet and make the error of speaking, they can be set straight in an ordinary conversation.  Similarly, those who are silent, waiting for information, can be informed normally.  

The thing is, many of us know bits of subjects but not enough to be competent, or to be able to integrate what we know about subject A with other areas of life.  If we let our egos loose and persuade ourselves that we know such a lot that we'll always be right and everyone else is by definition wrong, we're in trouble.  :)

Then you have the people who think they already know all the answers. They would rather be wrong than admit they don't know, and they can always defend their ignorance by demanding that you prove that your answer is socially acceptable. Of course all they have to do is reject your defense, so their position is solid.

If you want a demonstration, you can go to reddit.com, christian subreddit, and post bible verses. You will quickly get so many downvotes that your posting privileges are cut.

Thank you for your reply hartfire and Happy Friday! :)