Scene to read · Communication, Empathy
One envelope
You are waiting in line at a post office shortly before closing.
It is six minutes before the post office closes, and one clerk is working. Horacio, who is on crutches, has asked to go ahead of Bhavna, who is in her warehouse uniform and due back from a fifteen-minute break. You are next in line behind them.
The scene
Horacio: I can't stand on these much longer. It's one envelope.
Bhavna: I've been on my feet since five, and I get written up if I'm late.
Horacio: So that's a no, to a guy on crutches?
Bhavna: Don't make me the bad one. You, behind us. Am I wrong?
The two questions
- 1What would you say or do?
- 2How do you weigh two people's needs when both are real but only one can be met first?
What raters look for
- Communication
- Listens first, speaks clearly and respectfully, and adapts the message to the listener.
- Empathy
- Recognizes what others feel and need, and lets that shape the response without losing judgment.
Answer scenarios like this on the real timers
Answer both questions on the clock, and get each one scored 1–9 the way raters score. Your first set is free, no card.
Practice free
