to be a bit annoyed if a friend asks you for professional opinion

[BeyonceZ]

and then ignores it because he "googled it and according to google this is what I should do"?

Gets you off the hook if it goes wrong though!!

Justhadmyhaircut

That's true. I'll think of it that way then!

Yeah maybe but then perhaps they're just thinking over options. If it was my actual friend then I wouldn't mind.

I'm far happier if they do that as there's no come back on me if it goes belly up (especially as I wasn't paid for the opinion).

I wouldn't be annoyed. It's just one of those minor, inconsequential things.

I used to get this all the time as a union rep, found that people asked for advice then went around asking other less experienced reps until they got the answer they wanted right or wrong.

I think its a personality trait with some people, when I got to know them I asked them what answer they wanted then repeated it back to them to save their legs.

Just say, "Yeah, do that then."

Likely your friend had already googled and found an answer he wanted possibly as well as the one you gave . They just wanted you to validate their choice whether or not it was correct.

Yeah. Just worried because I really think he shouldn't be resting on his laurels (observe and monitor), which was what Google told him.

Advice and opinions are that, though. The decision and responsibility rests with him. I like to gather lots of perspectives, do some research, then make up my own mind. Obviously, your advice would have much more weight than that I gather from google. Ultimately though, I like a bit of confirmation from my gut.

Said friend is now asking me again about the result of his labs. He said google gave conflicting results.

If this is anything medical, refer back to his GP. Every time.

I'm a solicitor. One of my biggest pet hates is friends/acquaintances asking for free legal advice. It's never straightforward and it's always about an area of the law (e.g. property) that I don't work in.

Don't do it. I know not one single solicitor who is ok with this..

I'd tell him he needed to discuss with the person who requested the tests.

I'd actually prefer friends not to ask me my professional opinion on an informal basis and would tell them to go and see the appropriate professional who isn't also a friend and who can be totally objective for the opinion.

I agree with PP who says they were hoping your opinion would be what they wanted to hear and would validate their choice.

Friends and family used to try and pull me into this all the time, then proudly proclaim that Dr. Google said something totally different (and usually wrong).

These days I don't get drawn in. I have a stock answer referring them back to their own vet. It's made my private time and personal relationships much less frustrating.

Better than the inlaws who make a big song and dance about not letting family work for free and always charging, yet expect my professional time and advise for free just because I'm a SAHM. (Have put foot down and told them to employ an accountant).

"That sounds rather specialised, I'd suggest you make an appointment with a [podiatrist/clairvoyant/surveyor/plumber]."

As a lawyer I mainly put mortgages on aeroplanes. Did that ever stop anyone from asking me to sort out their million shared fence disputes, landlord/tenant issues, employment rights issues, appeals for speeding or contract disputes? Did it fuck.

I redirected him to his doctor. He sent me a message saying I'm such a "very good" friend and "you are of little help".

He sent me a message saying I'm such a "very good" friend and "you are of little help".

No need to reply! If he thinks you're of little help he can see his bloody doctor.

Sounds like he would have blamed you if it went tits up, so be grateful he didn't listen and now went to the dr. Consider it a bullet dodged and learn for next time.

I gave an opinion about something that concerns what I do every day to an acquaintance. He came back to me with great condescension saying "I've asked around, and, you know, you're right". I couldn't resist saying "Yes, I know".

Have same problem and getting increasingly blunt- no I am not on call for the whole of humanity just because I spent years training to be a doctor. I do not owe you a second opinion with half the info when you are not my patient and I am not at work. I will then stress over whether I've told you the right thing. And you have a doctor already.

What I actually say is that unless it's an emergency it's better they're seen by their usual doctor.