"Please give me water." "Would you mind to help me?" "Do you know where are the scissors?" In many languages, adding "please" makes any command polite, so learners translate a command and add "please." In English, a command with "please" can still sound bossy. Learners also get confused when a neighbor answers "No, not at all" and think the answer is no. In this episode you learn the American request ladder, from direct to very polite, how to answer "Would you mind," and how to ask questions politely inside other questions. In this episode: • The request ladder • Small words that soften • Would you mind + -ing • Do you mind if i...? • Indirect questions and a neighbor scene • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: Pass the salt — very direct; fine only in a quick family moment (casual) Pass the salt, please — still a command, with a softener Can you pass the salt? — the normal request at home (casual) Could you pass the salt? — a little softer (polite) Would you pass the salt? — polite, a little formal Would you mind passing the salt? — very polite Could you maybe turn the music down a little? — "maybe" and "a little" soften it Do you think you could water my plants this weekend? — polite for a favor Thanks so much — I really appreciate it — a warm way to close Would you mind closing the window? — please close it (very polite) Would you mind waiting a minute? — please wait No, not at all. — I'm happy to do it (it means yes) Sure. / No problem. — also common, and they mean yes Actually, I'm a little cold — a polite way to say "I'd rather not" Season 2 · Real American English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — accent, everyday grammar, prepositions, articles, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.