Ask for Help at a Store, Bank, or Office
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What you will learn
- 1Find the right person to ask at a store, bank or office
- 2Wait your turn and say clearly what you need in one or two sentences
- 3Ask a follow-up question and repeat back the answer
- 4Keep personal details, passwords and card numbers private
- 5Go back to your grown-up if anyone makes you uncomfortable
Mini Lesson
Stores, banks and offices have people whose job is to help. Asking them a clear question can save you a lot of time - and it is a skill you will use for the rest of your life. You do not have to know everything; you just need to know how to ask. Today you practice asking for help the smart way, with your grown-up nearby.
🏠 The Life Skills Way (step by step)
- FIND THE RIGHT PERSON: look for a worker with a name tag or a uniform, or go to the counter or the service desk.
- WAIT YOUR TURN: if there is a line, join the end of it. Wait until the worker is free and looks at you.
- GREET THEM: start with "Hello" or "Excuse me". A smile helps.
- SAY WHAT YOU NEED: make your request in one or two clear sentences, like "Could you help me find the light bulbs?"
- ASK A FOLLOW-UP: if you need more, ask one more question, like "Which aisle is that?"
- REPEAT IT BACK AND SAY THANK YOU: say the answer back to check it, like "Aisle 6, near the back - thank you!"
❓ If You Do Not Understand
- ASK AGAIN: say "Sorry, could you explain that one more time?" Workers are used to it.
- ASK FOR AN EXAMPLE: "Could you show me where that is?" can be easier than directions.
- BRING YOUR GROWN-UP IN: if it is still confusing, go and get your grown-up to help.
Keep your grown-up nearby and know where they are. Never give out your home address, passwords, PIN numbers or card numbers - your grown-up handles anything about money or personal details. Only ask workers at the counter, the desk or with a name tag. If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, stop talking and go straight back to your grown-up.
Words to know
service desk
The counter where workers answer questions and help people.
e.g. I asked about the missing price at the service desk.
name tag
A small badge with a worker’s name on it.
e.g. I looked for a worker with a name tag.
request
A polite way of asking for something.
e.g. My request was short and clear.
follow-up question
A second question you ask to learn more after the first answer.
e.g. My follow-up question was "Which aisle is that?"
repeat back
To say an answer again in your own words to check you got it right.
e.g. I repeated back, "So I go to window 2."
personal details
Private facts about you, like your address, passwords and card numbers.
e.g. My grown-up handles anything that needs personal details.
💡 Handy Tip: before you walk up, plan your question in your head, or write it on a note. If it is about a form or a bill, bring it with you so the worker can see what you mean.
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