There is a great song that is now popular entitled: Here Is Your Sign by Travis Tritt. The song is about people who ask stupid questions. As the song goes, these people should be given a sign that says "Dumb Question." I love the story in the song about pulling into a service station with a flat tire and the attendant walks up and says, "Flat tire?" The driver answers, "No, I was driving along and three of the four tires just swelled up on me!" Here Is Your Sign! Remember, as a child being asked, "Do you want a spanking?" "How many times do I have to tell you this?" "Do you want to go to your room?" I would love to have answered, "Dumb Question!"

Sales people are notorious for asking dumb questions. "Would you like to save money and be more productive?" "No, I love losing money and I would hate to be productive." "Do you have any needs?"  "Tell me what you like and do not like about your product?"  This last question is designed to discover what you do not like, so that the sales person can overemphasize positive things in the area where you express dissatisfaction. Here Is Your Sign!

"Are you the key decision-maker regarding long distance purchases?" Why not add, "Or are you a dipwad?" This question is both manipulative and dumb. Here Is Your Sign! Anytime you already know the answer to a question and you ask it anyway, it is manipulative.

Many sales people open their calls with, "How are you doing today?" Here Is Your Sign! Even though that question is asked just to begin the conversation, people usually answer fine, which often means move on and stop wasting my time! Have you ever had the notion to answer, "Terrible," or "Do you really care?"

When dealing with your customers, be aware that you should ask reasonable questions that will help you better understand their products or business. Make sure your questions are smart ones.