I sometimes ask people for favors, and when they help me, I always ask what I can do for them to return the favor.

I originally started asking people what I could do for them as a way of showing that I wasn't mooching and that I was interested in returning their favors. Over time, I discovered that I learned a lot of interesting things about different people based on how they answered when I asked what I could do for them. They answered with requests that I never would have expected or even thought of. In fact, many of the answers have been easier for me to fulfill, and more valuable to the other person, than I could have imagined.

When you ask what you can do for someone to return their favor, some people will answer immediately, as if they were expecting you to ask what you can do for them. Others will not have an instant answer, but will think about it and get back to you. Still others will tell you that you can do nothing. Ask them again what you can do for them. There is always something, even if it is simple.

In a rare case, if you ask someone what you can do to return a favor and their answer is unreasonable or impossible for you, or you are simply unwilling, tell them. Then ask again what you can do for them. They're likely to answer more reasonably for you.