Darrell,
I LOVE your post & agree 100%!!...too bad you put it where others seldom go.
1)ABSOLUTELY!..If you are not certain, ASK the question!!!..I have always told my children (now all 3 over 21 years old) that the answer to a "question not asked" is ALWAYS no! I think that NOT asking a question because you may be teased/ridiculed is a huge mistake...that would stop your growth, & that should NEVER end!
2) As my buddy Keith (wirebender on FAOL) would say..."There's a reason GOD gave you 2 ears & 1 mouth!!"
Mike
Mike