Discussion on:

Seven tips for talking with nontechnical people

I'm a marketer working for a tech firm, and I often have a terrible time getting the techies to understand that a "solution" is not just about the code or the technology. Technology is a means, not an end. We use technology to solve business problems - and we're not going to sell technology to techies alone! Most technology needs are driven by business needs, and we have to be able to talk about technology in terms of what it can (and can't) do to solve *business* problems.

How many people have had this experience? A nontechnical person wants to ask you a question. The first thing the person does is apologize for asking it or because it might be a dumb question.

I've seen this so much with others and myself. I'm convinced there are too many arrogant, cocky techies out there working with nontechnical people.

As I was taught 35 years ago, and pass along to any and all users to this day; "the only dumb question is the one you don't ask".

first off I'd say that yes, feeling the need to say sorry isn't good, but at least they aren't demanding help like some.

The case may be that, rather than meeting cocky techies, they just feel that your increased knowledge means what's a big problem to them is a simple issue to you, and that you enjoy the challenges of difficult problems. and while I'm sure this is true, I know a lot of techies would also like to explain to a receptive audience.
yes, the technically inclined need to try to be helpful and not come off as cocky, and yes, so many times people should read the ... manual, but the problems will often show up no matter what.