Thats cause it is. its snarky. solving someones problem and telling them they could be doing something better are two different things. its often offensive to mix the two. it also shows an incredible lack of empathy—sometimes someone is asking you something because theyre swamped and you seemed helpful, if you respond like that theyll go from thinking youre helpful to thinking you’re a know it all jerk.
heres a better way to communicate the same thing without being snarky:
“here it is! <link> its a pretty good resource, the docs are fairly extensive, theyve saved me a couple times in the past” that gives the person the hint without simultenousely saying “i think you’re a dope for not knowingg how to look up this doc” In fact the “next time you can just <x> :)” pattern in general is nearly always snarky—the smily face is clearly not genuine and is belittling.
heres a better way to communicate the same thing without being snarky:
“here it is! <link> its a pretty good resource, the docs are fairly extensive, theyve saved me a couple times in the past” that gives the person the hint without simultenousely saying “i think you’re a dope for not knowingg how to look up this doc” In fact the “next time you can just <x> :)” pattern in general is nearly always snarky—the smily face is clearly not genuine and is belittling.