When are questions not actually questions? Well, let's start by asking the question: are questions always questions? Hmm... probably not. Unless you're asking for the sake of asking, in which case, it's more like... inquiry-ing.
But seriously, folks, questions can sometimes be statements, or assertions, or even demands. Like when you ask, "I'm going to the store, are you coming with me?" That's not really a question, is it? It's more like... an invitation.
Or take this one: "What's the weather like outside?" That's not a question, that's a... weather-check.
And don't even get me started on "Are you sure you're not wearing that shirt because it looks like a potato?" That's not a question at all; that's just... a fashion critique.
So, to answer our original question: when are questions not actually questions? When they're not, apparently.