Printer Friendly PDF VersionFirst, ways to respond: Yes, no, explanation, none, curt, alternative, apology...
1. In twos or threes, think of a time or situation in which you need or needed help.
2. Person One:
a. Ask clearly for what you want (can be big thing, can be little & inconsequential – you can experiment with asking "nicely" and not)
b. Wait for the answer from your partner, and pay attention to how it feels
3. Person Two:
a. Answer the question, first with a "yes"
b. Take just a moment: how did that feel
c. Then have your partner ask again and answer with a "no"
d. How did that feel from each side?
4. Switch sides & repeat:
a. Think about how it feels to say & hear each
b. Did it matter how the question was asked? What answer was given?
• Ask for silly things: "Can I borrow your nose?"
• Ask for big things: "Would you go camping with me this weekend?"
• Ask for little things: "Could I take your backpack with me camping?"
• Ask for real or make-believe things
• See what it's like to say "yes"; to say "no"; to hear "yes", to hear "no"
• Try different ways of saying each – nicely, not nicely.
• Play with it ----- and you'll get better!