The quickest way to lose a freshman’s trust is to laugh at a question they were brave enough to ask.

Asking a question in front of people costs a beginner more than it would cost you, because they are already wondering whether they belong here. A laugh at that moment answers the question for them, and most people only need it to happen once before they go quiet for a year. Nothing you do afterward gets that question asked again.

Take the basic question seriously, out loud, in front of whoever is around. If somebody else laughs, answer anyway and carry on. Saying it was a good question is worth more than the answer itself.