Is It REALLY a Great Question?

I’ve been noticing for a while, quite a while, I guess, what seems to be a bit of a change in question/answer situations. When a well-know person (in acting, in government, in a leadership position) is being interviewed by the press or voters or people who are simply interested, here’s what I’m hearing: “(Question gets asked)” and interviewee responds, “That’s a great question.” And, they then answer, explain, inform.

I hear it over and over again. “That’s a great question.” Sometimes, it’s only “That’s a good question.” But, the almost identical response happens. Again and again. No matter how many questions are asked, no matter what the particular topic, the interviewee almost always says: “That’s a good/great question.”

I wonder if the agents, support staff, or mothers, are giving the advice that says, “Always affirm the person who’s asking you a question. Let them know that you’ve heard what they asked and that you think it’s important, whether you think that or not.”

And I suppose it’s pretty good advice. When the hoi polloi are seeking answers and/or information, being treated with respect can go a long way toward getting elected, having one’s books purchased, or choosing to attend the touted play, movie, lecture, or meeting.

As with anything, too much repetition of a word or phrase can make the expression sound trite, which might make the listeners loose interest, turn a deaf ear, or completely ignore the response. I’ve been hearing, “That’s a great question” for months. And months. And months.

So, I have some suggestions:

“That’s an interesting question.”

“That’s an intriguing question.”

“I’m glad you asked me that.”

“That’s a topic I really enjoy talking about.”

“I’ve been doing some research about that very topic.”

“I was hoping someone would bring that up.”

“What a splendid question!”

“That’s a worthy question.”

“Super question. Thanks for asking it.”

Thesaurus.com‘s top thirteen synonyms for “good” are:

• acceptable
• bad
• excellent
• exceptional
• favorable
• great
• marvelous
• positive
• satisfactory
• satisfying
• superb
• valuable
• wonderful

I admit, I don’t quite get the “bad” reference, unless it’s akin to “you’re so bad, you’re good.” And, “acceptable” seems a little wishy-washy. But I’m fond of “marvelous,” “superb,” and “valuable.”  Of course, after the interviewee has said, “That’s a valuable question,” they’d better have a really solid answer that proves the value of their information.

I do understand that often times, the people who are being interviewed have been interviewed scores and scores of times about their new movie, new job, race for office, desire for a new job or promotion, or more. They have responses and answers that they may have given lots of times. They’re pretty weary, I imagine. But, they might be able to learn a few more adjectives to help their listeners stay engaged. And, if they’ve said “That’s a great question,” then they’d better be sure that they’re going to give a great response.

And it’s also stupid and embarrassing to make up an answer if you don’t know what the actual answer is.