Common Complaints: FAVORS - Think About A Favor You Asked Someone To Do. Did The Person Do It? Now Think

Common complaints
Health complaints
I have a headache.
I have got a cold.
I have a backache.
I’m with the flu.
I’m coughing.
I have some sore muscles.
Of families with teenagers
My kids don’t help around the house.

My kids are always texting their friends.
My kids never listen to us.
My kids eat too much junk food.
My kids leave everything until the last minute.
My parents embarrass me in front of my friends.
My parents don’t respect my privacy.
My parents criticize my taste in music.
My parents nag me to clean my room.
My parents won’t let me make my own decisions.
About neighbors
My neighbor’s dog barks all night.

My neighbor always listens to loud music.
My neighbor’s cats go everywhere.
My neighbor has six dogs. It’s like a zoo.
My neighbor puts his garbage in the hall.
There are always shoes outside my door.
My neighbor’s kids visit everyday. It’s too much
My neighbor always asks me for things.
Which health complaints have you had recently?

What do you do for the health problems you have had?
How many times have you been sick in the past year?
Which families/neighbors complaints seem reasonable? Why?
Which complaints do you have about a family member? What about your neighbors?
What other complaints do people sometimes have?
What do you do when you have complaints?
FAVORS - Think about a favor you asked someone to do. Did the person do it? Now think
about a favor someone asked you to do. Did you do it? Why or why not?
Favors people dislike being asked
Could you fix my computer?

Could you help me move to a new house/apartment?
Could you lend me some money?
Could you babysit my kids?
Could you lend me your car?
Could I use your phone?
Imagine that a close friend asked you each of these favors. Which would you agree to do?
What are other favors you dislike being asked?
How to ask for a favor
We all have to ask for favors sometimes. But it can be a difficult thing to do - even when you
ask a good friend. So how can you ask a favor and be reasonably sure to get a positive
answer? Here are some suggestions.
Choose your words carefully - How do people respond to requests like this one: “Hey,
Mike, lend me your car!”? They probably refuse. How can you avoid this problem? Choose
your words carefully! For example, say, “Mike, would you mind doing me a favor?” Mike will
probably respond like this: “Maybe. What do you need?” Now you have his attention and can
explain the situation. People are more likely to agree to help you when they know the whole
story.
Be a nice person - When you ask someone a favor, you’re really asking the person to go
out of his or her way to help you. Show the person that you understand he or she is doing
something especially nice for you. If people think you’re pleasant, they’re more likely to want
to help. Thank them sincerely when they help you. And, of course, a smile goes a long way.
Give and take - If someone agrees to do you a favor, allow the person to choose when he
or she helps you. Be respectful of the other person’s time, and try not to ask for too much. If
someone refuses your request, you should accept the answer politely. Don’t make a habit of
asking for favors, and always make sure you’re ready to do someone a favor in return.
Reciprocate. It’s just a matter of giving and taking.
1) Match the words below with its meaning.
( ) especially a. give in return

( ) pleasant b. say no
( ) sincerely c. friendly
( ) refuse d. more than usually
( ) avoid e. honestly
( ) reciprocate f. stop from happening
2) Check the questions the article answers, then find sentences in the article that suport
your answers.
( ) Why is it easy to ask for a favor?

( ) How can you show people you’re nice?
( ) How can you avoid people asking for favors?
( ) What do you do when someone refuses?
( ) Why is it not a good idea to ask for a lot of favors?
Making excuses - Some common excuses
Sometimes people lie because they don’t want to do something. For example, someone
invites you to a party. You think it will be boring, so you say you’re busy - so you make an
excuse.
Refusing a favor or declining invitations
Forgetting to meet someone
I would like to help you, but I’m busy that
night. I remembered the date wrong.
I can’t find a babysitter. I forgot to check my calendar.
I’m not feeling well.
I have to work then. Not doing the homework
I have class that night.
My parents are visiting from out of town. My computer crashed.
I need to stay home with my new puppy. I thought it was due to tomorrow.
My favorite TV show is on that night.
I have to get up early the next morning. Getting to class late
I already have plans.
I have a doctor’s appointment. I couldn’t get a ride.
I missed the bus.
Ending a phone call
I’m driving right now.

My battery is dying.
Have you ever used any of these excuses? Have you ever heard any of them?
Which are good excuses?
What other excuses can you make for not accepting to do a favor or for an invitation?

Common Complaints: FAVORS - Think About A Favor You Asked Someone To Do. Did The Person Do It? Now Think

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Common Complaints: FAVORS - Think About A Favor You Asked Someone To Do. Did The Person Do It? Now Think

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Common Complaints: FAVORS - Think About A Favor You Asked Someone To Do. Did The Person Do It? Now Think

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Common complaints

Of families with teenagers

My kids don’t help around the house.

My neighbor’s dog barks all night.

Which health complaints have you had recently?

Could you fix my computer?

How to ask for a favor

1) Match the words below with its meaning.

( ) especially a. give in return

( ) Why is it easy to ask for a favor?

Making excuses - Some common excuses

I’m driving right now.

You might also like