How to Ask a Friend a Question
Friendship plays an important part in human existence. Many friendships are nurtured and developed over the years, which can make asking some questions difficult -- especially those which are highly personal or touch on sensitive subjects. Potential awkwardness or embarrassment can largely be overcome by planning when, where and how to ask the question beforehand.
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Instructions
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Arrange a time to meet your friend that doesn't impinge on his or her daily routine. Avoid times that will see them arriving from a potentially stressful situation. Most people are more relaxed on the weekends, so try and meet then. Late at night and very early in the morning are times to be avoided.
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Choose a location that both you and your friend feel comfortable in and where you won't be disturbed. Consider somewhere that the two of you have previously had an enjoyable experience together. This will help create a relaxed and intimate atmosphere for the question to be broached.
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Start the conversation on general terms. Make sure to ask your friend how he or she is and try to really listen to the response. Consider abandoning your question if the friend seems overly emotional or like he would benefit from your complete support and understanding.
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Introduce a subject relating to your question into the conversation and then try to develop it. This will help the friend to understand the question in context when it is finally asked. Suddenly asking an unrelated question is confusing and can lead to a defensive response or an answer that is devoid of any useful information.
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Ask the question in a manner suited to its content. Generally this means stating it in a clear and firm way. This will ensure it is understood as a question that requires an answer and not simply an opinion. Never ask a question aggressively as this will only cause the friend to withdraw or answer aggressively.
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References
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