Outline exactly what you need help with, what it will entail, how long it will take, and when the help is needed. Don’t push the person for a decision; be gracious and respectful even if they say no. If they help you, be thankful and show your appreciation clearly.
Table of Contents
1. Be Polite
When asking for small favors, starting with a warm greeting is always best. This will help the person feel valued and wanted as themselves, and not just for what they can offer you.
Engage in a little small talk before getting down to business – pleasantries are an important way to show respect and appreciation. Many people will feel put off if you jump straight in with what you want, so be prepared to have a proper chat with whoever you are asking.
2. Be Direct
It is important to be direct and to state your request clearly. Don’t be afraid about looking rude – if you have begun with polite pleasantries, being up-front about what you are asking won’t come across as pushy.
Being direct is very important because it ensures everything is clear and out in the open. If you beat around the bush and hint at what you need, the person you are asking might not know what they are agreeing to or might offer you something else that isn’t useful. Being concise, clear, and straightforward prevents any potential misunderstanding.
3. Be Respectful
Always remember to acknowledge the person’s time and effort when asking a favor. People enjoy doing nice things for others; it feels good to help somebody and do a good deed.
However, if that person shows no gratitude for your act, it can feel like you have been taken advantage of. It will come across as rude or, at the very least, thoughtless.
If somebody does something for you, always remember to directly acknowledge their contribution and thank them for their help, effort, and time.
4. Be Mindful of Timing
Choosing the right time to ask for a favor is an important part of proper etiquette. Asking for a favor at an inappropriate time can be annoying or rude and can cause unnecessary stress for the person you are asking.
Firstly, be sure to pick the right time to ask the favor. This should be in a quiet moment when nothing else is happening. Avoid social events such as parties or dinners, as the public nature of these places can make the person feel pressured to say yes.
Also, be aware of the timeframe of your potential favor. If it is small (i.e., takes less than ten minutes), you can be less careful when you ask, though still be aware not to do it when somebody is busy.
However, if it is a longer task or one that might be ongoing, it is better to find a dedicated time to talk about it.
5. Be Honest
When asking for a favor, honestly explain why you are asking and why you need their help. Some people mistakenly view this as a sign of weakness; conversely, it demonstrates character strength and builds a stronger bond.
Provide a clear and truthful explanation, stating what has led you to ask for the favor, why you need it, and how it will positively impact you going forward.
6. Be Specific
It is a good idea to clearly define the scope of the favor you are asking right from the offset. This will allow whoever you are asking for all the information they need to decide whether or not they can help and ensure that you receive the assistance you need.
7. Be Gracious
The most important part about receiving a favor is showing appreciation and gratitude. Be earnest and sincere when you thank someone for doing something for you. It is always best to say thank you in person (rather than through social media) to demonstrate how much you appreciate the help they have given you.
8. Be Accepting
When asking somebody for a favor, it is always within their right to say no. This doesn’t mean that they don’t care about you or don’t want to help; it could be that they don’t have time, aren’t the best person to ask, or are dealing with difficulties in their own life.
If somebody says that they can’t help you, make sure you smile, assure them that it is okay, and thank them for their time anyway. Don’t hold it against them or get angry; focus on finding somebody to help.
Even if they have no good reason for saying no, try to take the high ground – it is always better to be polite than to be dragged down into an argument.
9. Be Patient
If you ask somebody for a favor, be careful to give them time for consideration. Don’t push them for an instant decision, as this can come across as rude and cause stress or discomfort.
If you need help at a specific time, be sure to lay this out calmly and gently. Try something like this:
‘I really need to get this done before my presentation on Tuesday; no worries if you can’t help out that quickly, but if I could know by Friday so I can find alternative help, that would be great!’
10. Be Mindful of Boundaries
Respecting somebody’s limits when asking for a favor is always important. Try to keep different parts of your life separate: it can be inappropriate to ask a team member at work to help out in your personal life, while bringing family members into work matters can put everybody in a difficult position.
For instance, a student emailing their professor to ask for an extension to a deadline is perfectly acceptable (as long as it is done professionally and politely, with proper formatting). However, asking your professor to help you resolve an argument with your best friend pushes the boundaries.
Boundaries don’t just involve what you are asking for. They also include how you ask. In the above example, sending an email is an appropriate way to ask a professor for an extension; showing up at their house to ask the same question is not.
11. Be Helpful
If somebody helps you out, the polite thing to do is to offer to return the favor! This doesn’t have to be helping them in the same way, as they might not need the same support you do. But find a way you can offer specific help in return.
If there is nothing you can do at that moment, be sure to let them know that you ‘owe them one’ – in other words, if they need a favor, make sure they ask you first, and you will help them if you can.
Even if they don’t take you up on the offer, making it clear that you are happy to return the favor shows respect for the other person’s time and effort. Don’t be pushy, however. Nobody wants to feel like their friend owes them a debt!
12. Be Thankful
If somebody provides you with help or service, remember to send a thank you note! Thank you notes are a great way to demonstrate thanks and gratitude. They feel more personal than emails or texts and show how much you appreciate the help that you have been given.