Originally Posted by si_the_geek
As has been rightly said above, if you want to answer questions, go for it. :)
Those of us who tend to answer questions had to start somewhere, and we are happy to see the "next generation" coming in - especially as it means we have more 'freedom' to focus on our specialist areas.
If we notice people trying to help, we typically let them get on with it - just yesterday there was a thread I could answer with a simple 1-line answer, but I waited while two relatively inexperienced helpers discussed it, and they ended up with what I would have posted (but several posts later).
Now they've done that, they will hopefully remember it for next time a similar question comes up, and continue learning (as well as helping) in that thread too.