How do you feel when someone asks if they can “pick your brain”?

25 comments

1. “Sure, it’s $500/hr”

2. That depends entirely on who is asking, what the topic is, and the situation we’re in.

3. I’m usually happy to give advice if someone asks for it. I can’t guarantee it will be *good* advice, but hey; it’s free.

4. I’d feel like they’re using a slightly overelaborate idiom to ask for my thoughts on something, then do my best to answer whatever their question is.

   Unless I’m dealing with some stranger stopping me on the street, I’m perfectly happy to give people my advice.

5. A little turned on, due to my mummification fetish.

6. Depends on whether or not they’re holding an ice pick.

7. Love it

8. I’m used to the phrase now (corporate life…), but I definitely find it more or less cringeworthy depending on the context. I’m happy to help out someone who wants to learn more about what I do, but sometimes it feels like there are ulterior motives.

9. Context is key

10. It’s a common enough saying, I don’t feel anything. Just mild curiosity about the topic to come

11. Flattered

12. Usually fine.

13. I feel fine; it’s a pretty standard and innocuous phrase. I think the real question is how does it make YOU feel, or how do you interpret it that would make you ask the question?

14. It just means can I ask you a question? So yeah whatever, it’s not anything more than that

15. I know what they mean. I usually resist the urge to correct them.

16. Usually a little weirded by the phrasing, but pleased to be knowledgeable enough in a subject someone is coming to me for advice

17. I feel flattered they think anything’s there

18. I have absolutely no problem with this. They are appealing to my expertise in a particular area, and I’m happy to help.

    I know things that other people don’t? Happy to help.

    Other people know things that I don’t? Thank you for the help.

19. I HATE that phrase, but I am always glad to help!

20. I’m an attorney and everybody always wants to pick my brain and it’s always about an area of law that I do not practice. It’s like asking a podiatrist to perform heart surgery. I have to try and keep a straight face and not outright insult them.

21. Flattered.

22. Curious on what they’re asking

23. Usually flattered

24. I don’t mind what they’re asking for, it’s the phrase that bothers me. It sounds like birds are eating a brain.

25. I mean who’s asking? My supervisor or Hannibal Lecter?