Surely you have heard more than once about provocative issues. But what is it? What are provocative questions and how to avoid them? How to answer them correctly? Let's figure it out.
What are provocative questions
Let's start with the definition. In fact, everything is quite simple. A provocative question is one that prompts us to take any action. Often, such tricks prompt the addressee to answer. Especially often they are used to make a person speak on an unpleasant or difficult topic for him.
Quite often, such questions make us get lost, worry, trying to quickly find the right answer. All this is done not so much as to confuse a person, but to find out his view on a particular issue, to check erudition and emotional stability.
Therefore, you need to know how to behave properly in such situations.
Provocative interview questions
Quite often provocative questions are asked at interviews. The reason for this is the desire of recruiters to check how honest the person is, how interesting this job is to him, and why he wants to get this particular place. In addition, with their help they check the intellectual level of potential employees. And most importantly, such questions are asked in order to see the natural reaction of the applicant. For example, to check whether he is lying, whether he is lost, how much stress-resistant.
What questions can be asked at the interview? Here are some striking examples:
1. When are you planning to get married (have children)? Such a question is often asked to women, trying to find out their priorities - work or family.
2. Why did you leave your previous place? It is set in order to check how long the applicant can work for the company, and what exactly can cause him to leave.
3. Rate yourself. Here the goal is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant. The main thing is not to overdo it, listing its pros and cons.
4. What does our company do? In order to check whether a person even knows where he has to work.
There are a lot of such issues, and each of them has its own goal.
Provocative relationship issues
Quite often provocative questions can be asked by girls to guys or vice versa. Basically, to test the feelings of the chosen one, his attitude to himself.
In order to get to know their interlocutor better, when they meet, guys like to ask provocative questions to girls.
Examples of such provocative questions:
1. Can you forgive treason?
2. Would you wait for me from the army?
3. What makes you different from others?
4. What is the most beautiful in you?
And many others. Such questions not only make you think about a particular problem, but also give the interlocutor a better understanding of himself.
Girls also like to ask provocative questions to a guy. For instance:
1. What are you afraid of?
2. What is your goal in life?
3. How do you feel about a serious relationship?
4. What will you do if you find out that your girlfriend is pregnant?
And many others. In fact, almost any unexpected question can become provocative.
How to ask a provocative question?
In order to correctly ask a provocative question, you should first decide on what purpose it is being asked. Next, the question should be formulated so that it is as clear as possible to the interlocutor. Otherwise, you may either not receive the answer to the question, or you may get a rather slurred and obscure answer.
Also, you should not ask provocative questions immediately, it is better to prepare an interlocutor, start a conversation on this topic or bring him to your question with the help of other, simpler and standard ones. Otherwise, the interlocutor may just be confused and not find what to answer.
How to answer provocative questions?
Let's also figure out how to correctly answer provocative questions.
First of all, do not get lost and do not be alarmed if the question is asked unexpectedly, and you do not know what to answer. Take a deep breath, calm down and pull yourself together. Then delve into the essence of the matter. Answer calmly, do not show that the question touched you.
Secondly, regarding the issues themselves. If the issue has already been discussed more than once, you can safely say so and say how pointless you think its discussion. If you are offered to choose one of the options, and none of them suits you, try to find a third, compromise option.
Thirdly, we do not advise you to answer a question with a question. This is uncultured. If you do not want to answer the question, make it clear to the interlocutor, if necessary, give a short explanation of the reason for the refusal.
Conclusion
Do not be alarmed when you hear a provocative question. Mostly among friends, they are asked to have fun, have a good time. As for relations, such questions will help not only your interlocutor, but also you to learn more about yourself.
At interviews, such questions are asked to test your honesty, motives, and quick wit. Even if you cannot answer this question, it is not as scary as it seems at first glance.