07 When you want to show that you are nice with your action
In Korea, it’s a common business practice to walk the boss or other higher-ups to the elevator or car when they leave. In the Korean culture, this gesture shows politeness and respect to someone who is in a higher social rank. Your country might have similar practices. But in Western countries, unless you’re joining them in their car, if you walk your boss to their car without saying anything, it could come across as creepy or needy.
When you speak English, it’s the best that you let people know what you’ll do before doing it.
So, in the example of walking your boss to the elevator or his car, simply say:
“Let me walk you to the elevator.”
Or,
“I’ll walk you to your car.”
Don’t just do it. And be sure and make conversation with them while you do it. The same principle applies when buying someone a coffee:
“Let me buy you a coffee. It’s on me.”
When you show a new employee where the archive room is, say:
“I’ll walk you to the archive room. It’s this way.”
You could also try these phrases, too:
Let me get you some water.
I’ll hail you a cab.
Exception:
If you are on a date with a romantic partner, perhaps it’s not necessary to say these phrases every time. Saying “Let me hold the door for you” is perhaps not very attractive. Just hold the door open.