You've already identified an important first step: ask. Which seems obvious, but some people rush in to do something, assuming they know what's needed, and are wrong.
I try to ask in a way that gives the other person room to decline without worrying about offending me. "Can I help you with that?" is very different from "do you need help with that?" or even "would you like a hand with that?". The first is an offer, the second presumes inability (puts the person on the defensive), and the third puts the other person in the position of having to state a need.
no subject
You've already identified an important first step: ask. Which seems obvious, but some people rush in to do something, assuming they know what's needed, and are wrong.
I try to ask in a way that gives the other person room to decline without worrying about offending me. "Can I help you with that?" is very different from "do you need help with that?" or even "would you like a hand with that?". The first is an offer, the second presumes inability (puts the person on the defensive), and the third puts the other person in the position of having to state a need.