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For example -

Questioner: What do I need to know about the system of emigrating to New Zealand? I hate the weather here...

Answer: Moving to New Zealand because you hate the weather isn't a good reason to emigrate...[continue to express their opinions on your decision].

Instead of addressing the question, the answering individual decides to express an unsolicited opinion on the decision or motivations for the person asking for advice about a particular action. The questioner didn't ask his opinion about the reason why he is emigrating, but more so 'how' to emigrate.

This type of behaviour tends to be very commonplace in both the real world and in online forums.

DanDanDan
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    What’s the word for attaching irrelevant statements of opinion to the end of legitimate questions? If the questioner hadn’t added it, the Answerer wouldn’t address it. By adding it, the questioner makes it relevant. – Jim Jun 11 '20 at 15:29
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    It depends on your point of view. If you like it (you don't seem to), you might say they are reframing the question or exploring the motives. If you don't like it, you might say they are avoiding the question or being argumentative. As for what to call them, helpful or insightful in the first case, annoying in the latter. As @Jim said, if you want an answer to a specific question and only that question, then ask only that question. – Damila Jun 11 '20 at 16:00
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    @Jim Especially when the speaker shouts the extraneous statement, and doesn't add a politeness marker to the question. Here, it's using free will to choose to address the comment rather than the question. – Edwin Ashworth Jun 11 '20 at 16:08
  • When the question is considered in need of refinement, it's called constructive criticism on ELU. I'd suggest << Questioner (to an official who knows that the better weather in New Zealand is the reason I want to emigrate): 'What do I need to know about the system of emigrating to New Zealand, please?' >> – Edwin Ashworth Jun 11 '20 at 16:14
  • I would call them irritating but please see: What is a word for purposely trying to avoid answering a question? and its duplicate. And as mentioned, the questioner has diverted from the question without waiting for an answer with their own opinion, so what else can be expected? Even more irritating is when people ask questions but are not interested in an answer. – Weather Vane Jun 11 '20 at 16:40
  • There is probably a psychological diagnosis for that particular malady, but I don't know what it would be. – RobJarvis Jun 11 '20 at 20:17
  • Attention seeking? Opinionated? It depends entirely on the motivation behind the response. – Jason Bassford Jun 12 '20 at 01:50
  • @Jim - Your comment presents a perfect example. – DanDanDan Jun 14 '20 at 08:39
  • @DanJHillComposer - Glad you noticed. ;-) – Jim Jun 14 '20 at 08:40
  • In politics, isn't that pivoting? – Yosef Baskin Jun 14 '20 at 16:02

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