ask for your advice, go against the advice given, and come back for more advice that they'll probably never use?

maybe they don't really want advice
maybe they're just looking for opinions

Are you asking for my advice?

or his opinion?

some incite may work for you but not for them...but what you say can lead the way nonetheless

I tell them to look up the answers on Wikipedia.

They want you to establish some credibility before they accept anything blindly.

But once you've established that, they'll walk into a lake full of alligators if you advise them to....

Perhaps the advice given was not something that would have worked for that person? I see no problem with asking for advice or opinions, but not actually using them.

Same thing goes for offering advice. You can do it, but shouldn't expect it to be followed.

maybe re-affirm what they think is right, when truly only they know for sure ITS WRONG

I think very often when people claim they are "asking for advice" what that actually translates to is they are faced with a difficult decision in their life and they are already leaning in one direction yet they want to hear what you would do if you were in their same position. So based on that, if you do not reinforce the decision they have already made, they are very likely to reject your advice at that point.

They are looking for confirmation that what they have already decided is right in some respect.

Id tell you, but in my experience, Id just be wasting my breath...

I have no idea but when you find out let me know....

Tall, cute AND smart!!! Got all the bases covered!! ((((TTO))))

People used to do that to me. Then I started giving them lectures on why they ask me for advice but never follow it. Then I got tired of the lectures and simply told them to go F themselves.

Maybe I should just tell 'em what they wanna hear?

I think you should take mistarr's advice and tell them to go "Fuc- Themselves."

I wish I knew. I have a friend that is just like that. She was going thru a divorce, asked me for advice, didn't take it and lost everything including custody of the kids. I am so sick of her asking me for advice all the time, but never take it......I stay away from her now.

great answer! I'll try that next time!

this sounds like it might be the case. You might be on to something. Still puzzles me that they don't think about, before asking, that your perspective on the matter is going to be totally different than theirs; mainly because you are being objective since you are out of the matter they need advice for.