You should not always ask others for advice.

This is especially true when there is an issue that is based only on opinion or feelings. Only you can decide those issues.

For example, you may want to go away for Shabbat in order to help out a friend in need. You know that the preparations for going away will take up most of Friday, and that you will return home late on Saturday night, Motzaey Shabbat.

On the other hand, you may have to do a great deal of work, and you will not have time to do your work on Friday and on Saturday night if you go away. You will have a great deal of additional pressure in order to fulfill your important commitments on time.

You are faced with an invitation on one hand and your own pressures on the other hand. Which one should outweigh the other?

A confidant, Rabbi, psychologist, counselor, consultant, or an Internet forum cannot help you. A third party will certainly be of no value. You will have to decide this issue by yourself, without involving others in the decision.

There are others who should not be asked:

• Don't ask taxi drivers or barbers about politics.
  If you do ask, then expect to get a definitive answer

  Don't ask our Jewish Groups or any Internet resource about Halacha

  Don't ask thirteen-year-olds technical questions about your computer

  They may embarrass you for asking such foolish questions

  They may damage the operating system beyond repair

The dilemma

How are you to know which issues to resolve by yourself and which to raise with others?

If you're not sure, then just ask. Then say, "I don't know whether I should handle this by myself or with your assistance." You should receive an honest response.