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“Never ask a barber if you need a haircut”

Nassim Nicholas Taleb

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Simplified Meaning:

When you ask someone for advice, think about what they get out of it. A barber's job depends on cutting hair, so they’ll probably say yes if you ask them if you need a haircut. It’s because they make money from giving haircuts. This means their answer might not be completely honest; it might be influenced by their need to keep their business going. So, to get a fair and unbiased opinion, you should ask someone who won't benefit from giving you that advice. For example, if you're unsure about buying a new phone, don't just ask a salesperson. Instead, ask a friend who isn't trying to sell you something; they'll give you a more truthful opinion. This way, you can make better decisions by getting advice from people who don't have a personal stake in what you choose.

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Advice Bias Decision-making Humor Life-lessons Self-interest Skepticism Wisdom
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