Rhetorical Questions and the Absence of Logic

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What do you think of rhetorical questions?

I used to always answer them if I had an answer.
I always thought a person who asked a question was confused about something, and if their question was answered they wouldn't be confused anymore, and would feel better because of it.
But it seems many people (not all) who ask rhetorical questions become annoyed when they are answered.
I have been told I am rude and interruptive when I answer a rhetorical question when someone is talking to me.
But I can't help but answer it. I feel compelled to answer and inform/correct people, in the hopes of bringing about understanding, but I only receive negative feedback in return.

This is what I think:
Don't ask me a question if you're not expecting or at least willing to accept an answer. Don't ask anyone if you can't handle the answer. It isn't logical to do so. Don't put a statement in the form of a question unless you expect it to be treated like one.

I agree 100%

I think I've responded to every single rhetorical question I've ever been asked. People ask so many seemingly dumb questions that I can't tell the difference.

I think I don't always recognize rhetorical questions. The people I mostly talk to may be forgiving with me. If I recognize one, but can't come up with a fitting answer, I either shrug or raise my eyebrows and sign with my arms accordingly.

I answer rhetorical questions all the time. I just don't catch that they're rhetorical.

The thing I do not really like is when people ask me, "what's up?"

When that happens, I tend to struggle to come up with a quick response.

i would answer it anyway most people think its funny.

I never know when questions are rhetorical. What purpose do rhetorical questions serve? This is not a rhetorical question.

if I don't know it's a rhetorical question I'll answer it because I don't know it's rhetorical... if I do know it's rhetorical I'll answer it anyway just to be an ass.

I'd say it's probably about an 50/50 split.

Obviously none of you are old enough to remember Seinfeld.

I'm 41, but I do not recall seeing any relevant episode. I may, however, be an anti-dentite.

I mostly catch the rhetorical questions, but it's mostly used either to impress or to intimidate.
Yes people, we all love subtleties .

A couple of weeks ago, my 5yr old daughter got into trouble at school because of this. The teacher said something like 'Are you not finished that yet?' My daughter then said, 'I'm nearly finished'. She then got a verbal warning for talking back!

So because you don't like rhetorical questions they should be disallowed? That's mighty egocentric of you.

Rhetorical questions are a valid form of communication in some circumstances. Just because I don't always recognize them does not strip them of that validity.

The world is not logical. Insisting that it be logical is in fact contrary to the evidence and in and of itself is illogical.

Do you want an answer, or is this a rhetorical question?

It's classically coined the "Show about nothing" because Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer fill the entire script with rhetorical questions.

I usually answer rhetorical questions but so do lots of other people. Technically it's not a question if an answer isn't required. I get the concept though.