[graypegg]

I think I just dislike the framing that

not investigating something = being dumb

You can just ask if you aren't sure. If I welcomed you into my house, and asked you to turn on the lights, while not telling you it's wired in a three-way switch config where another switch has to be turned on first, I think the dumb solution there is flicking on and off every light switch for 5 minutes till you get it, rather than just asking me. To me, holding the knife up to my phone's flashlight, or gently grazing the side against my palm has the same sort of "why are you doing that" energy everyone wants to avoid.

Dark restaurant, social pressure to not do weird things at the table, I get why anyone could mess up.