It is kind of irritating when users don’t come back to their own threads, especially if more clarification is needed. I fear that the reason some members don’t come back (or maybe they’re lurking, but not responding) is because they feel like they are being “interrogated” even if we just need to know some more details regarding their Q.
Most of you know I was reluctant to post my first Q, even though I’d been answering Q’s on the site for several years. That was the reason why. I was afraid that I’d have people demanding to make me prove myself or my reasoning, or that people would suggest that my premise was stupid or wrong.
I try to be very sensitive, especially to newer users, regarding asking for clarification. I will try to explain to them why I need clarification, while at the same time, trying not to to pry too far into their personal lives, and trying to avoid making their premises sound stupid.
If a newer user’s premise actually is stupid or wrong, but it seems heartfelt, I’ll usually avoid asking for clarification, even if I feel it is warranted, or I might not answer the Q at all and just observe.