Lots of people stumble when they have to ask for something. Be it a favor or a loan, especially so in our “want face” culture. We feel shy, we feel it’s a terrible lost of face if we are to ask for anything. We don’t know how the opposite party will react and we are afraid of being rejected. The feeling of being being rejected is a terrible feeling, but there are times when asking for a favor is inevitable.
Expect to be denied
If we were to ask for something, always tell yourself that being rejected doesn’t mean the end of the world. Tell yourself you won’t go to jail for it. Tell yourself you are not committing a crime by asking for a favor. Get all these digested and go ask for what ever you want.
Ask Politely
People find it extremely hard to deny you when you ask very politely. You don’t have to tell a load of grandmother stories or tell a big lie as to why you need the favor. If you do that and they find out later that you have lied to them as reason for asking, then you can rest assured that they won’t be a second time for you. Especially when it comes to a monetary loan. Never concoct up a lengthy story as to why you need the money. Tell the truth. If you are broke, tell them you are broke and need some money to tide things over. It’s not the time to save face by telling them your millions have been stucked somewhere and you don’t actually need their money. Ask politely and truthfully and 9 out of 10 times they will lend you the money, but of course make it a point to pay back as soon as you can.
Be responsible for what you have borrowed
When you borrow something, treat it as your own. In fact you should treat it better than you own. If your neighbor lend you his car, make sure you fill the car up, give it a good wash and return it in better condition than the time you borrowed it. If however you are so unfortunate to have crashed it, then be responsible enough to have it repaired at your own cost. Never return it with a silly smile on your face by just saying sorry. You are cheap if you do that and no one is going to lend anything in future.
And Lastly,