How do you politely ask someone for an email?

When I was a kid, there were two words that would always come out of my mouth whenever I found myself asking for something or thanking someone. They were "yes" and "please." If I wanted ice cream, my mom would yell those two words into the kitchen while she frantically looked through her cupboards for some vanilla extract. And if I needed help with homework, I'd throw up my hands and shout, "Please!"

I'm not sure why I used those particular words -- maybe it had something to do with all the times other kids made fun of me because they thought I sounded like a little robot. Regardless, I've stuck by them ever since. It turns out they're also good words to know when you want to be as polite as possible.

You don't have to scream about how much you need something every time you talk to anyone. Instead, take a moment to think before you speak. Try using one (or several) of the following three sentences instead. You'll find yourself sounding a lot less bossy than you normally would.

What polite word will you say when you ask for something?

If you really want to be extra polite, try saying something along the lines of "Could you please..." but keep reading so you see what else is involved.

Do you remember the last time you asked someone to watch your dog for an hour at the park? Or give you another ride home after school? Perhaps you called a friend on the phone and said, "Hey! Can you meet us somewhere later?" Maybe you even asked your dad to pick up groceries for dinner. These types of requests aren't exactly easy to figure out, especially if you haven't done it before.

But just knowing which words to avoid doesn't mean you won't still end up sounding rude. For instance, let's look at the sentence "Could you please pass me the salt?" This sounds pretty innocuous, right? But it actually has quite a few different meanings depending on who you are talking to. Some might interpret it as a way of telling someone to hurry up and finish whatever task he's working on. Other people may assume you meant to ask someone to hand over a bag full of money. Still others will wonder whether you meant to ask him to stop eating his food. So what should you say?

Luckily, there isn't a single answer. The best option depends entirely on whom you're speaking to and how long you expect their response to be. Asking someone to repeat themselves back to you could save you some embarrassment in certain cases. However, doing so takes away any chance of getting a quick reply. That means you'll either have to wait until the person finishes whatever he's doing or risk coming across as impatient.

In general, the safest route to go is to start off with a question such as, "Would you mind...?" Then follow up by listing out what action you want taken. Let's say you want your friend to pick up the phone. When you say, "Would you mind calling me?" you're giving him permission to call you and letting him know the message is important enough to interrupt whatever he's currently doing.

The same goes for asking someone to do something quickly. Say, "It would be great if you could complete this project within the next week," rather than simply stating, "Finish it soon." Your phrasing gives the recipient plenty of room to decide whether he thinks you're serious and willing to pay attention to details.

There are exceptions to everything -- sometimes it pays to be bolder. If you're sending an email to someone who works remotely, it might be a better idea to state, "We urgently need [something], and we wouldn't ask unless it was absolutely necessary." Of course, you shouldn't do this unless you're 100 percent confident that they can fulfill your request. Otherwise, you run the risk of annoying them and losing their trust.

What can someone do with your email address?

Some websites and apps collect user data in order to improve their services. By signing up for an account or filling out a survey, you agree to share certain pieces of personal information. Sometimes companies will only ask for limited amounts of information, but some require more extensive documentation. Even though you probably already provide your name, contact number, and location, many sites insist on knowing where you live too.

For instance, when you sign up for Facebook, you must enter your first name, gender, date of birth, city and country. On Twitter, you can choose between providing your real name and nickname, plus your city, age, gender, username, and language preference.

Even if you never plan on sharing your email address online, it's smart practice to change it anyway. After all, there are plenty of ways hackers can access accounts if you fail to secure yours properly. Plus, if you ever receive spam messages that seem suspiciously personalized, you'll feel much safer having changed your password.

To prevent unwanted intruders from accessing your social media profiles, keep your passwords protected with a PIN code. Make sure the codes you create on each site match the ones set up on your smartphone app, computer, tablet, and browser. Don't forget to check your spam filters regularly for messages containing links to phishing scams.

Can someone hack my bank account with my email address?

Your email address is often considered public property. Anyone can easily grab it from the internet and use it to log onto web-based accounts. There are lots of ways hackers could gain access to your inbox, including clicking on links sent via text messages or instant messaging platforms.

Of course, it's impossible to completely protect yourself against all potential threats. Just imagine if everyone started changing their addresses whenever they got a new job. All these changes would add up over time, making it harder for banks and employers to track down the correct financial records.

However, there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim. First, install security software on your device and enable its firewall settings. Second, turn on Two Factor Authentication wherever available. Finally, learn how to spot fake login pages and clickbait links.

Also, if you use Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook, iCloud, AOL Instant Messenger, Skype, or other popular mail providers, consider setting up additional verification methods. These involve adding yet another layer of protection to ensure that no one gets past your defenses.

What information can people get from your email address?

Most people don't realize this, but your email address contains a wealth of sensitive information. According to a 2014 report published by Symantec, the average American sends nearly 2 billion emails per day. Those numbers are expected to grow exponentially in years to come.

By looking closely at your contact list, anybody could potentially deduce a whole range of facts about you. From what type of car you drive to what kind of music you listen to, there are endless possibilities.

It's important to note that although it's unlikely that strangers will be able to pull together all the clues required to build a detailed profile, they certainly can gather enough information to paint a fairly accurate picture.

That's why it's crucial to remain cautious when choosing a new email provider. Before you sign up for anything, read privacy policies carefully to determine how much information you're agreeing to share with third parties.

For starters, most major ISPs include a section titled "Opting out of receiving promotional materials." Underneath, you'll usually find a link taking you directly to a page explaining what data they store and how they use it. Pay close attention to the terms and conditions, which often contain more important information.

Another key point to explore is whether your ISP offers free versions of premium products. Although they may allow you to browse the internet anonymously, you needn't worry about handing over your credit card details. Many of the world's largest tech firms operate under similar business models. Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Apple iCloud, and Amazon Cloud Drive all offer paid plans alongside their respective free options.

Lastly, it's worth checking out each company's customer support department. Ask them questions regarding the safety measures they employ and how they handle complaints. Also, double-check their privacy policy to make sure they're keeping your private information safe.

There are countless other factors to consider, but hopefully this article gave you a solid foundation upon which to base future decisions. Now that you understand how to ask nicely, you'll be ready to tackle any situation with confidence. Good luck!

Email etiquette expert Susan Blevins explains how to ask for permission politely and how to thank someone in an email letter sample.

You've probably sent a few emails already today, but now that your boss has asked you to take over some tedious task from him or her, you're wondering what exactly is proper etiquette when sending out an e-mail on behalf of another person. If you have ever been put into such a situation before, then you will be familiar with the need for politeness.

The first step towards making sure your email sounds as professional as possible is choosing the right words. The key here is to avoid sounding too direct or demanding, which could come across rudely. Instead, try using language that conveys respect for the other party while still getting your point across. You may even want to consider adding a couple of sentences about why you feel like doing this. Here are a few tips on how to craft an appropriate email for each scenario.

Is it okay to ask for someone's address?

If you’re working for someone who doesn’t seem to understand that he/she needs to get a new assistant, perhaps you should start by saying “I noticed that there is no one listed under your name in our company directory yet, so I was hoping I might be able to help you set up a profile with us. Is that okay?” This way, you don’t actually demand anything – instead, you are offering assistance, which shows that you are respectful of his time and not trying to rush him. But if you really must insist, you can also add a sentence like, "It would mean a lot if we could get this done soon."

This approach works particularly well if you think that your boss isn't aware of your efforts. For instance, if you notice that your colleague hasn't updated his LinkedIn profile in months, you can gently suggest that he update it immediately -- and provide a link to the information you found online.

How can I know my friend address?

When you’ve met someone once or twice, it becomes easy to remember where they live. However, if you haven’t seen the person often enough, it can become difficult to remember where they live. A good way to keep track of all those addresses is to create a spreadsheet detailing every place you meet with friends (or any meeting at all). Your contacts list on your phone can also serve as a great guide.

In cases where you haven’t had many opportunities to talk to your friend recently, you can simply ask, “So, I heard you moved last year. Where did you end up living?” It’s important to make sure that whatever you choose to say does not appear overly inquisitive or pushy. Also, avoid saying things like “I hope I didn’t bother you,” because it makes you look desperate and less likely to receive positive results.

Instead, say something like, “I hope I haven’t bothered you much lately. Do you mind telling me where you ended up moving since I hadn’t talked with you in awhile?” This phrasing takes away the sense that you are bothering the other person and gives them space to answer the question. Of course, if you really want to know, you can always follow up later with a friendly reminder.

How do you ask someone address without asking?

Sometimes, you just have to ask people directly for their contact info. When you absolutely need to reach out to someone urgently, however, it helps to soften your tone and express yourself professionally. Keep in mind that sometimes, just knowing whether or not someone lives close to you can save valuable time. So rather than asking outright, you can inquire about the other person’s whereabouts.

For example, you can say, “I'm looking for someone whose house number is...” Or, you can phrase the sentence slightly differently by starting off with “Do you happen to know anyone whose home address is...?” Remember, though, to leave room for the other person to respond. After all, she may not know either! And if she declines to give you her address, you can offer to call back next week or whenever works best for her.

How can I find someone's address without asking them?

There are times when you have to go through the process of finding out someone’s address without asking them directly. Perhaps you’re going to visit a new city where you don’t know where to stay. Or maybe you’re planning to move somewhere else and want to inform your current landlord about that change.

Regardless of the reason, it’s helpful to have a general idea of where you’ll be staying beforehand. To get started, you can search your favorite travel sites to see what hotels are available near the area you plan to visit. Then, if you know you’d like to rent a certain apartment, you can check Craigslist or similar websites to see if anyone is willing to let you sublease their property temporarily.

Once you’ve got the address, you can always ask your neighbor or family member if they knew the location. They might be happy to share the information with you, especially if you promise to return the favor sometime in the future.

How to write email for requesting something urgent

Emailing someone to ask for a favor is pretty straightforward. Just imagine that you’re the person who wants to get the job done. Now, it’s time to show your professionalism and tact.

First, be clear about what you want. If you’re unsure about the exact wording, you can always rephrase your message until it feels natural. Second, make sure that you include details concerning deadlines, dates, etc., to make sure that your request won’t fall into the wrong hands accidentally. Finally, avoid coming down hard on the recipient if you aren’t completely satisfied. Offer to revise the text if necessary, but only after giving the sender a chance to fix mistakes.

Remember to thank the person for taking care of the matter personally. Even though you may feel annoyed or frustrated, never forget to maintain composure and act professionally. Above all, you want to convey that you value the relationship between the two parties.

You might be surprised by what I'm about to tell you - but it turns out that when we're trying to get things done around our desks (or anywhere else), there are a few ways to soften your tone. We've all written some pretty direct emails before! But have you ever tried to be subtle or indirect with them?

I think one reason why many of us feel uncomfortable sending "direct" emails is because they can come across as rude or aggressive. And while it's true that sometimes you need to be firm and assertive, it doesn't mean that every time you want to communicate directly, you should.

When you start working on your next big project, here are three tips to help you figure out if your message needs to be delivered differently than usual.

One thing I noticed right away was that I felt like my messages were coming off too harsh and abrupt. So I decided to try changing up the language. Here are two simple changes that made me really happy.

First, I changed the word "please." Instead of saying, "Please forward," I said, "Could you please forward?" This helped soften my message so much that even though I still wanted the recipient to do exactly what I asked him/her to do...it came off less aggressively. I also found myself using sentences such as "Would you mind doing [this] for me?" instead of just telling them to do it. It seemed to put a little bit of pressure on the person, which was great since I didn't know whether they would actually agree to do it.

Second, I started using words like "kindly" and "thankfully." These softeners worked perfectly well in place of the old phrase "thanks." While thanking someone in an email is appropriate, it's not always necessary. Sometimes it's better to simply thank someone and move on rather than adding extra words that could seem unnecessary.

So now let's talk about how to politely ask for something.

In the following article, I'll walk through different scenarios where you may find yourself wanting to ask someone for something. Then I will show you several alternatives to the standard phrasing used to ask people to do something. You'll learn how to soften your message to avoid sounding overly pushy or demanding.

And don't worry - none of the new phrases I share below require any sort of special knowledge or skill. They're easy enough to remember, and once you start using them, you won't go back.

Now let's look at how to ask someone politely for an email address.

What is the polite way to ask for something?

The first step toward making your requests more polite is to change up your wording. When you use the traditional phrase "could you please...", you're essentially asking for permission. A more effective approach would be to reword it so that you're not necessarily asking anyone for anything. For example, you can say, "Could you kindly forward this email to [name]."

Another alternative is to phrase the question in a positive light ("If possible, could you..."). If you already have the information you needed from your contact, then this is probably fine. However, if you don't yet know who they are, then asking them to give you their name is only going to cause confusion later down the road.

Instead, you can keep the same idea behind either of those approaches and add another sentence. Try something along the lines of, "If possible, could you kindly reply within 24 hours?" That gives the person enough time to respond, but not so long that it feels like you're begging for a response.

Finally, you can switch things up entirely and begin the conversation with a compliment. For instance, you can say, "Thank you so much for taking the time to read this email!" Or you can offer to follow-up after you receive their answer. The point is to open conversations with small gestures of appreciation. By offering to call them back, you're giving them space to decide whether they want to meet you halfway or not. Either way, you're showing respect.

How do you ask something professionally?

It's important to note that the above techniques aren't meant to replace the rules of etiquette. There are plenty of other guidelines you must abide by when communicating with others. Some include:

Avoiding jargon unless absolutely necessary.

Using proper spelling and grammar.

Being respectful of cultural differences.

Not talking over others' heads.

Making eye contact.

But regardless of the situation, it never hurts to ask nicely. Whether you're dealing with a boss, colleague, customer service rep, or friend, knowing how to ask for something properly makes you appear more professional, confident, and trustworthy.

Here's how to ask someone for their phone number.

What is the formal way of asking?

Asking someone for his or her address isn't nearly as complicated as it sounds. All you need is a pen and paper. Simply jot down the details for whoever you'd like to reach out to and ask for their full mailing address. Make sure you take care to spell everything correctly. Don't forget to leave room for the post code / ZIP+4 combo.

Or maybe you want to ask someone to sign something. Again, just grab a piece of paper and ask for their signature. Be careful not to make fun of someone's handwriting.

Of course, you can also ask someone to do a favor. Just be aware that you shouldn't assume that everyone wants to help you out. Unless you know the person very well, it's best to explain to them why you're reaching out to them specifically. Otherwise, you run the risk of seeming ungrateful or needy.

By learning how to ask for something politely, you'll instantly improve your ability to connect with people in business settings. This goes beyond email, too. After all, most jobs involve meetings, interviews, presentations, etc., where you must interact with others outside your comfort zone. Being able to express yourself effectively in these situations means you'll stand out from the crowd and become a more valuable asset.

Have you ever had trouble getting people to do something for you? How did you handle it? Share with us in the comments section below.