How to Ask for Directions
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Ever get lost and need to ask for directions?
How about when you’re at a Best Buy and want to get an employee’s attention to ask questions about different computers or TVs?
It’s important to ask for help in a polite, direct way to get other people’s cooperation. Here’s how.
DIRECTIONS
Look for someone who seems friendly enough to take a few minutes to help you, then say, with direct eye contact and a little smile:
“Excuse me. Do you know where [name of street, building, or other location] is?”
Have pen and paper ready to write down what they say. Ask more questions if you don’t understand the directions. When they’re done, thank them for their help. If they can’t help you, thank them anyway and look for someone else you can ask.
STORES
If the store is full of customers but not enough salespeople, be patient. Watch the different salespeople who are already helping other customers. If any of them seem to know what they’re talking about and glad to be helping their customer, wait for a quick chance to flash a smile at that person and say as cheerfully as you can:
“Hi. I want to buy a [TV, computer, or other expensive item]. Can you help me?”
Or, if you just need to know where the DVDs are, say:
“Hi. Where are the DVDs, please?”
Maybe you just need to know where the toilets and sinks are:
“Hi. Where is the bathroom, please?”
Remember to always say “thank you” after anyone helps you.
RECOMMENDATIONS
If you need a good doctor, lawyer, dentist, accountant, mechanic, hair stylist, tutor, book, or anything at all, it’s a good idea to ask people whose opinions you trust for recommendations. It’s always nice to start any request you make to people with the first name of the person you’re talking to:
“[First name], I’m looking for a new [doctor/lawyer/dentist/accountant/mechanic/hair stylist/tutor/book/anything else]. Can you recommend a good one?”
Then, ask them why they are recommending that person or thing:
“How do you know about [him/her/it]?”
Learn anything else you can about the recommendation:
“Is there anything else you can tell me about [him/her/it]?”
And, always remember to thank them:
“Thank you very much. I appreciate it.”
If you took your friends’ or coworkers’ recommendations by actually going to the doctor, lawyer, book, etc., they recommended, tell them you and thank them again for the tip. This will show them that you trust them. Even if you didn’t take their advice, tell them that you found a different doctor, lawyer, book, etc., but you will keep their recommendations for the future.
CONCLUSION
Don’t be afraid to ask others for help. If you are nice, they’ll be happy they could help. Sharing with others, even if it’s just a few directions or a recommendation for a doctor, lawyer, or book, is fun. Be awesome! Be your own hero!
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