"I have no idea"

Post by **thibodeaux** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 1:47 pm

I'm getting pretty sick of people at work saying this, in response to a question about work. REALLY? No idea AT ALL?

Post by **GORDON** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 1:57 pm

I say, "I. do. not. know." exactly the way Spock says it in the Star Trek reboot when he is asked how "that kid" beat his Kobyashi Maru test.

Post by **thibodeaux** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 2:00 pm

Well, #1, it's BS. Because you probably have SOME idea. A great example I read:

"What's the wingspan of a 747?"
"I have NO IDEA."

Well, you know, for example, it's more than 2 feet. You also know it's less than 100 yards. So, you have SOME idea.

#2, it's what's called a "self-limiting belief." It's like Yoda and Luke. "I don't believe it." And that is why you fail.

Post by **GORDON** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 2:06 pm

But another thing, when I say, "I. do. not.know." I always have a brief vision of Mr. Hand writing, "I don't know" on the chalk board.

And then I have a brief mental flash of, "Sir this recruit does not know but he will find out" which was the proper response to a question you don't know during a Marine inspection in boot

Post by **thibodeaux** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 2:09 pm

What? I thought it was yes, no, or "no excuse."

Post by **GORDON** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 2:11 pm

It probably depends on which drill instructor you had.

Never heard of "no excuse" though.

Post by **Troy** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 2:23 pm

Uh...

I use that response often, but what it seems to mean and what it actually means are different for me.

It usually really means: "I seriously don't know, why are you asking me this dumb question" used on client lawyers and colleagues alike.

Edited By Troy on 1403893454

Post by **TheCatt** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 2:28 pm

thibodeaux wrote:I'm getting pretty sick of people at work saying this, in response to a question about work. REALLY? No idea AT ALL?

You should work somewhere else.

Oh hey... I know a place that's hiring!

Post by **Cakedaddy** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 2:35 pm

I use it to stress a lack of knowledge when I think the answer is important. So, depending on how you asked me "What's the wing span of a 747." If you are building a garage for a 747, where the answer is important, I would say "I have no idea" because I would think in such a case "More than 2 feet but less than 100 yards" would be just as nerve grating. Actually, I can't really think of any example where you'd want me to answer with "More than 2 feet but less than 100 yards".

I'm guessing you are more annoyed with someone admitting complete failure without attempt. You want them to try "Well, I would know it's more than 2 feet, but less than 100 yards. . . " and end it with "But I don't know the exact answer" rather than saying (but not in so many words) "I'm a complete idiot with no concept of distance and have no idea if the wing span of a 747 is more or less than 2 feet, or 100 yards because my brain functions only enough to keep me alive." In other words, you KNOW they have SOME idea, but they are too weak to attempt an answer.

You just want people to try and fail rather than to never try at all.

Right?

Post by **thibodeaux** » Fri Jun 27, 2014 3:19 pm

I think it's more of a sign of people not trying, yeah

Post by **Vince** » Sat Jun 28, 2014 10:47 am

I usually just respond with, "Don't get me to lying".

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Sat Jun 28, 2014 2:43 pm

Vince wrote:I usually just respond with, "Don't get me to lying".

If you really want to be a

,

you could always start your response with, "I understand that an idea going through your head's a really short trip, so the chances of me catching one in progress there is slim, but..."