I think giving that extra context when counter-arguing potential features helps frame the discussion. It also demonstrates you’ve engaged with the idea and are not just shooting from the hip. Defining why you’re asking ‘why’ is really helpful, and leaving the question too open-ended can result in not getting an answer to the specific point you were asking why about.
For instance, you answered ‘Why do you think this is some kind of culture question?’ and what I was asking was ‘Why do you think asking for a practical example is small talk?’
Having a handful of extra words can remove a lot of the ambiguity.