Is it Rude or quite offensive to ask rhetorical questions?

Question

Is it Rude or quite offensive to ask rhetorical questions, when on debates, casual conversation on an argument, online.

Is it irritating. For me i like this questions, pretty helpful on getting to the points, challenging when questions, and tests your ability on how to manipulate the speaker of the opposing side.

So the question is, does this question really offends others despite of the fact that its part of the game. want to get others opinion

Answer 1

not really!

Answer 2

Rhetorical questions are an accepted method of arguing.

I think it's hard for them to be offensive; the only time they really p**s me off is when someone asks a rhetorical question and then waits for an answer.

Answer 3

It happens all the time in most conversations on a personal note.  Haven't seen it in debates. tho.  To me, a rhetorical question would be better used in talking with a child, not an adult.  

I don't find it offensive, but I don't run into it much.  I think it's just a statement in reverse, so the person asking the question doesn't get an answer, and didn't want one in the first place.

Answer 4

I think it can come across that way if you do it often enough, it might seem quite arrogant or even just avoiding if they have asked you a question.

So I think the key is, not doing it too often, but only when you want to really emphasise things.

Answer 5

In....

Debates: its considered politics.

Casual Conversation:Its called intellectual wit.

Argument: its a comeback

Online: you're not actually verbally speaking to that person and when you can't hear that person's voice intonations and the way they say it, it can be translated as any of the above.