Why do people say stupid things?

Yesterday I received a paper copyof a particular spreadsheet from my boss. She asked me to find out who holds the electronic version of the sheet.

The sheet records information from audits, so I called the audit dept., saying my area was trying to find out if anyone knew anything about this random sheet. I got a call back saying,

"I don't know anything about it, but why don't you try asking the person who gave it to you?"

No *h*t! I wish I had thought of that. "Does anyone know who stole my purse?". "No, but you could trying asking the person who stole your purse."

"Does anyone know who created this spreadsheet?". "No, but you could try asking the people who are asking you."