We all have a natural tendency of presuming what others will answer if we ask for something.  We generally fear rejection, being told “no” and the awkward moment that follows.  And instead of being direct, we insinuate, we try to finesse our demand.   Let me tell you kid, people are clueless and will not understand your subliminal messages.

Go direct, simple, polite and open to the negative.

I remember when I was in my late teens, living with my mother and she’d ask what were my plans for the week end.  I would go on with a bunch of stuff I wanted to get done.  After 10-15 minutes of laying out my plan for those 2 glorious days, then I’d stop and ask why she wanted to know, she replied that she’d

“like a lift to go buy coffee on the other side of town but  seems like the schedule is already quite filled”.

- How about going now ?

- Sure.

- Let’s roll!
if she had only directly asked, it would have been more simple.  After a few times, I recognized the pattern and I’d simply tell her to “Express her need”.  

There is a video of the beginning of Steve Job that he actually send a letter to a company’s president to have electronics parts for one of his project, that was way before Apple.  He got a positive response and even got a summer job there, if my memory is good.

You have to realize that you are asking for a specific thing, a negative response only applies to the request.  You, yourself are not denied or rejected.  In time you’ll figure that Being refused a favor isn’t the end of the world, All this being said, you’ll find out that, most of the time, people are willing to go out of their usual ways to help someone who dares to ask.  I don’t recall any time someone refused to boost my car and I usually don’t refuse to help someone asking for a small favor.

Take the positive with gratitude and the negative with grace and respect.  Voice your desire fearlessly kiddo