Poll: What kind of answers do you like to receive - By the book or personal experience?

Question

I'm sure this question has been asked here before, but I was just curious....

Do you like the answers that seem to be cut and copied right from a website or are you looking for more personal answers - or does it depend on the situation you are asking about?

Personally, I usually tend to want more personal experience, but there are times when I'm looking for a by the book answer.... What about you?

And, of course, I'm asking this here because this is where I usually ask all my questions. :)

Answer 1

I like answers to that have some information and personal experience that backs it up or discounts it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Definitely personal experience, although some people are better at Googling than others and can find the exact info you're looking for.

Answer 3

Personal if I wanted a by the book answer I'd google it!

Answer 4

I like personal experience. When you get a by the book answer you never know if it actually works, but when you get a personal experience answer they actually tell you they know if it works or not.

Answer 5

I usually like answers based from personal experience.

By the book answers are usually for general. As for personal experience, you can see the different effects on different people which, for me, is more practical.

Answer 6

I like personal experience. Copy and paste answers annoy me because I have books and can google things myself. Normally, if I want a by the book answer I'll ask specifically for references. But....I take all suggestions I can get personal accounts or copy and paste!

Answer 7

I usually want experience answers , , but sometimes I want to know things by the book too .  

Answer 8

I like personal experience because I think most of us have the books.  

Answer 9

Deff. personal experience, and I pretty much always say that in my questions, because I do my own research, and can easily look up things on the internet...but I like to hear from mommys :)

Answer 10

Hi Johnnys Mommy! You always have such unique questions, and I enjoy answering them!

When I come to Y!A I normally enjoy personal experience answers. However, same as you, I like book answers sometimes. But, the way I see it, I can already get the book answers- I like personal level answers. Something maybe I dont already know, ya know?

Hope this helps!

Answer 11

By experience.

Answer 12

personal exp.

Answer 13

from experience. It's quite easy to google answers on the internet by myself. It's nice to hear from others who have actually been in my shoes.

Answer 14

as far as babies and pregnancy go.. nothing is EVER by the book. it just doesnt work out that way. personal experiance is much more valuble

Answer 15

I think personal experience is better. There are some questions you can't research the answers for which is why you ask others. Hopefully you get some genuine and helpful answers by posting a question on here.

Answer 16

If it's something like what could be wrong with my baby, or have you experienced this, I like personal answers.  I then like when those answers are backed up by a website sometimes.

Answer 17

Usually personal, but it depends on the question. A mix is welcome

Answer 18

Well, I've never asked a question because I always search for it first before I ask and without fail, someone has ALWAYS asked it before so I just read through those answers! But depending on the question, I like either/or for an answer. I find if my question has a scientific basis behind it, I like a by-the-book answer. If my question is more subjective, like what type of formula should I try for a gassy baby, what to do with sleep issues, etc., I prefer a personal experience answer. Most of the questions that I seek an answer for are personal experience type questions, so if I had to choose, I would choose that one.