Why do people sometimes ask for advice when making important decisions?

I'd say people ask for advice mainly because they want to avoid costly mistakes. When we're emotionally invested in a decision, it's easy to overlook practical risks - which is why getting an outside perspective helps. Like when I signed up for that half marathon I mentioned, I consulted a runner friend first because I knew nothing about training plans or pacing. She warned me about common beginner mistakes like increasing distance too quickly, which saved me from potential injuries. That said, I think younger generations in China are becoming more independent - we might ask for fewer opinions than our parents did, especially about career or lifestyle choices.