Personally, I prefer it when people tell me the word because otherwise I'm just stood there struggling and feeling like a goon. But this obviously isn't everyone's stance. I suggest you talk to him, just the two of you, and ask what he prefers. For me, that would be a really nice gesture and it shows that you aren't judging him. I mean, he probably doesn't think that but he might. Sometimes I when I am struggling and everyone is staring at me, I feel like people are judging me and ready to give me a whack and tell me to spit it out. However, if people start looking away, I feel like I've lost their attention and feel worse.