When I was in college, I signed up for a lit class that sounded interesting but totally outside my knowledgebase. That first class was nothing but uncomfortable silences as the professor asked questions that people could barely answer. After class, I waited until almost everyone left and then asked if there was a primer or some kind of vocab list I could use cuz I didn't understand most of what he said. Every person who was still left in the room suddenly spoke up asking for the same thing cuz NONE of us knew what was going on.

That was the first time I had confirmation that a room full of people will sit in silence afraid to admit they don't understand something and it completely changed my perspective on asking questions because prior to that moment, most people treated my questions as insubordination or something I should be ashamed of needing to ask.

After that, I refused to be ashamed of asking questions because that's how I learn and if someone tries to shame me for it, I reflect that right back on them because why are they speaking if they don't want people to understand. But that never would have happened if I hadn't listened to my gut and asked because my other option was to drop the class.