# Should we answer off-topic questions?

Moments ago, I saw this:

The question this was posted on is 100% opinion based + idea generation, thus making it clearly off topic. Should we answer off-topic questions (before they're put on hold/closed) if we know that they're off-topic?

I bring this up because while a new user may rush to answer a question straight away because it's interesting or they have an idea, I feel that this sets a bad example for future users - that even off-topic questions can receive answers.

Perhaps, as more experience users, we should refrain from answering obviously off-topic questions and start setting an example?

• Do you think a bit of context is worth including: that the user who left that comment is close to top 10% rep and went on to answer the question and then cast a close vote? In their defense, it's a weird period for the site, trying to hash out what's on/off-topic. – nitsua60 Feb 12 '16 at 4:02
• @nitsua60 It's exactly because the user was such high rep, posted an answer, and THEN cast a close vote that this caught my interest. I agree with Monica, that we should set an example and not answer questions such as the one in this case. However, this question was clearly off-topic from the get-go, so it's not really fair to use "trying to figure out on/off topic" as an excuse... – Aify Feb 12 '16 at 4:10

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