Russian Polite Form of Asking Questions

Did you know that we sometimes use the negative form of a verb to ask polite questions? For example, we use it when we ask for directions, so it is normally used with the polite form of “you”, Вы.

For example,

Извините, вы не скажете, где Арбат? Sorry, would you, please, tell me where the Arbat street is?

Не мог бы ты закрыть окно? Would you, please, shut the window?