Maybe I'm just seeing it that way cause I do the same.
This year for my birthday my sister was asking questions about the cake because she wanted to make it. I legit didn't care about the details cause having someone take the time out of their day to make you a cake is more important than "Yeah, it has to be this flavor and it had to be this color and", or at least to me it is.
I can totally see how it's an unhelpful answer, and I'd probably curse someone if I were on the receiving end of that kinda answer, though.