Help! I need somebody!
You’re at a trampoline park with friends (no parents). You fell funny on your arm, and you think it is probably seriously injured or broken.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: A staff member/employee at the trampoline park
What you'd say: "I think I seriously injured my arm when I fell. I need help! Can you call my parents/guardians and get me medical attention?"
You’ve been seated at a restaurant, but no server has been to your table to wait on you. It has now been 15 minutes since you were seated.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: The host/hostess, manager, or any restaurant staff member you see
What you'd say: "Hi, we've been seated for about 15 minutes but haven't had anyone come take our order yet. Can someone help us?"
It’s the first week of school, and you’re regretting signing up for one of your classes. You want to see if you can drop the class that you don’t like and replace it with a class that seems like a better fit.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your school counselor or academic advisor
What you'd say: "I'm reconsidering one of my classes. I don't think it's the right fit for me. Is it still possible to drop it and add a different class instead?"
You think you’ll need additional loan money to finish your year at college, but you don’t know how to get additional funds…or if getting more loan money is even possible.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your college's financial aid office
What you'd say: "I'm going to need additional funds to finish the year. Can you help me understand what options are available, like additional loans or other financial aid I might qualify for?"
You are almost always asked to work at the cash register which you find to be confusing and stressful. You don’t want to work the cash register any more.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your manager (privately, during a calm moment)
What you'd say: "I appreciate being trusted with the register, but I find it really stressful and I'm not confident in my abilities there. Would it be possible to work in a different area of the store instead?"
You can’t find your class within a university building. You’re pretty sure you’re in the right place, but the class starts soon, and if you can’t find the room in the next few minutes, you’ll be late!
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: A staff member, security guard, or anyone working in the building (front desk, custodian, etc.)
What you'd say: "Hi, I'm looking for [Class Name/Professor Name] in room [number]. Do you know where that is? Class starts in a few minutes and I'm having trouble finding it."
You’re at the movies, and a person tells you that you're in their seat. You think you’re in the correct seat.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: The other person (politely)
What to say: "Let me check my ticket—can you show me yours? Maybe we can figure out what happened."
Person: An usher (if the other person is being aggressive)
What to say: "I need help! This person is saying I'm in their seat, but I have a ticket for this seat."
You just finished training at your new job at a restaurant. You’ve been taught how to make the salads, but now that you’ve been assigned to work at the salad station, you realize you don’t remember what you’re supposed to do.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your trainer, manager, or a more experienced co-worker at the salad station
What you'd say: "I'm a little fuzzy on the salad station procedures. Can you walk me through it again or show me what to do? I want to make sure I get it right."
You get your paycheck and realize you were not paid for 4 of the hours that you worked during the last pay period.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your manager or payroll department
What you'd say: "I noticed my paycheck is missing payment for 4 hours that I worked during the last pay period. Can you help me figure out what happened and make sure I get paid for those hours?"
You’re at a restaurant with friends, and there is a large menu where many items seem like they’d be good. You’re overwhelmed by all of the options.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your server or a friend
What you'd say: "There are so many good options! What would you recommend? Or what's popular here?"
You have gotten your first apartment, and your stove/oven has stopped working.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your landlord or property manager
What you'd say: "Hi, my stove/oven isn't working. Can you send someone to repair it, or let me know how to get it fixed? It's not safe to use right now."
You work at a pizza shop, and you’re responsible for putting the toppings on the pizzas. Your co-worker talks nonstop which affects your concentration. You don’t want to hurt their feelings, but doing your job correctly is important too.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your co-worker (directly and kindly)
What you'd say: "Hey, I really enjoy talking with you, but I'm having trouble concentrating on getting the toppings right. Would you mind if we chat during our break instead? I want to make sure I'm doing a good job."
During your work shift, you begin to feel ill. You don’t want to get anyone sick, and truthfully, you don’t feel well enough to finish your shift.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your manager or supervisor
What you'd say: "I'm not feeling well and I'm worried about getting my co-workers or customers sick. I don't think I can finish my shift. Can I go home?"
The cafeteria cashier informs you that your lunch account balance is low, but your parent/caretaker told you yesterday that they added more money to your account.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: The cafeteria cashier or cafeteria manager
What you'd say: "My parent told me they added money to my lunch account yesterday, but it's showing as low. Can you check if the payment went through, or is there a delay?"
You only have 12 minutes between two of your classes, and it takes about 15 minutes to walk across campus to get to your second class. You’re worried it will be a problem to show up late to your second class everyday.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your academic advisor or school counselor
What you'd say: "I only have 12 minutes between two of my classes, but it takes about 15 minutes to walk across campus. I'm worried I'll be late every day. Can we look at adjusting my schedule?"
While shopping at the grocery store for ingredients to make a pasta dinner, you can’t find the grated parmesan cheese.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: A grocery store employee (stock person, cashier, or anyone in a store uniform)
What you'd say: "Excuse me, do you know where the grated parmesan cheese is? I'm having trouble finding it."
You’re at the swimming pool, and some kids seem to think it is funny to follow you around and splash you. You are not enjoying their game.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: The kids directly (first attempt, calmly)
What to say: "Hey, I'm not having fun with this. Please stop following me and splashing me."
Person: A parent/guardian at the pool (if you know one of the kids' parents)
What to say: "Your child and their friends keep splashing me and following me around. Can you talk to them about it?"
Person: Move to a different area of the pool
What to say: (to yourself/friend) "Let me go to a different section where they're not bothering me."
You were ill for your last 2 class lectures, and you know there will be a quiz during next week’s class. You don’t feel prepared to take a quiz on the material you missed.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your teacher (during office hours, after class, or via email)
What you'd say: "I missed the last two lectures because I was ill, and I'm concerned about the quiz next week. I don't feel prepared on that material. Can we discuss options, like extra time to study or a makeup quiz?"
You check your bank account and realize that someone must have gained access to your debit card number. There are over $1000 in purchases that you know you did not make.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your bank (call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or online)
What you'd say: "I just noticed unauthorized purchases totaling over $1000 on my account that I didn't make. I think my debit card number has been compromised. I need to report this fraud and dispute these charges.
Someone that you work with constantly says derogatory things toward another one of your co-workers. The co-worker hasn’t said anything about it, but you can tell your co-worker is unhappy with the situation, and you’re uncomfortable too.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your manager or HR department
What you'd say: "I've noticed that one of my co-workers is making derogatory comments toward another team member. I'm concerned about the work environment, and I can tell it's affecting them. Can this be addressed?"
You don’t remember the directions the doctor gave you for your new medication, and you don’t want to take it incorrectly.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your pharmacist (at the pharmacy where you got the medication) Your doctor's office, A parent/trusted adult
What you'd say: "Hi, I picked up my medication, but I don't remember all the directions the doctor gave me. Can you go over how to take it?"
Your teacher has you seated next to a few students that you find incredibly distracting and rude. You don’t want to sit in that seat any longer.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your teacher (privately, after class or during a quiet moment)
What you'd say: "I'm having trouble concentrating in my current seat because of distractions. Would it be possible to move to a different spot in the classroom? I think it would help me focus better."
You entered college with a declared major, but now you think you want to change your major to something else.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your academic advisor or college counselor
What you'd say: "I've been thinking about my major, and I don't think it's the right fit for me anymore. I'm interested in [new major] instead. Can we talk about what changing my major would involve?"
You’re at a store and buy something for $19. You pay with a $50 bill, and the cashier only gives you $21 dollars in change.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: The cashier (politely and right away)
What you'd say: "Excuse me, I think there's a mistake with my change. I paid with $50 for a $19 item, so I should have gotten $31 back, not $21."
You turned in a big English project that is worth half of your grade. Your friends all have had their project graded, and they all have received a grade in your school’s online gradebook. Your project is marked as “missing” in the gradebook.
I would talk to _______________ (person) and I would say “__________________________."
Person: Your English teacher (in person, via email, or after class)
What you'd say: "I turned in my big English project, but it's showing as 'missing' in the gradebook. My friends have already been graded. Can you check if you received my submission?"