I hate this so much, if you are posting a question in a q&a forum like stackoverflow, this rule makes perfect sense. But in a conversation it is perfectly normal to gauge interest or ask if is ok to ask a question hoping you will be directed to a better place. Why is online conversation so special? We are not writing a letter with a pen,it's instant just like having a normal talking conversation. Sure,the actual question should be conscise but the norms and etiquettes of conversation pre-exist for a reason.
If I glance through a channel and see a bunch of questions then I can answer them in just the time it takes for me to write an answer. Whereas if I see "Hey can anyone help me?" then I need to ask "Possibly. What's the issue?" and wait for the asker to return, see my message, then formulate their question.
Note that this is assuming a programming chat room. "Asking to ask" makes slightly more sense in a 1-1 DM with someone.
> the norms and etiquettes of conversation pre-exist for a reason
