ABSTRACT
Questions from a complete stranger, on a topic that s/he has chosen, are always likely to feel a bit intrusive. It would all be much more bearable if the questions were asked because the questioner was seriously curious and needed to know the answer – like asking the time or the way to a destination. By answering such questions kindly but with authority we establish our superior knowledge, share it and give an answer in much the same way as we might proffer a small gift. It is all very safe, reassuring and good for the self-image of both parties. But this expectation of gratitude for answering a question also trips up many ‘experts’ who are asked to participate in radio or television interviews. If they are inexperienced they may assume that the interviewer is quite simply asking for information. However, it is more likely that interviewers have been chasing up on the possible answers from rival sources. So they interrupt and challenge the expert rather than listening gratefully. What happens is more like questioning by someone who has ulterior motives. It makes the interview process dangerous and tricky. Why are they asking me? Is there a secret ‘wrong answer’ which I do not know? Humiliating! Why risk that? And it is usually the first questions, at the beginning of an interview, which are the most trying, because no basis of mutual understanding, let alone trust, has yet been established.
