Proofreading Service - Pain in the English
Proofreading Service - Pain in the English

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Proofreading Service - Pain in the English
Proofreading Service - Pain in the English

Your Pain Is Our Pleasure

24-Hour Proofreading Service—We proofread your Google Docs or Microsoft Word files. We hate grammatical errors with a passion. Learn More

“Can I get” vs. “May I have”

I am told by my business partner that using “Can I get a...” from a waiter is verging on the rude and that you should use “please may I have...”.

Would you agree?

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Comments

Did you mean TO a waiter?

Certainly "May I have" will be perceived as more formal and courteous, but "Can I get" will not necessarily be perceived as rude, depending on the tone of voice. "Could I get" is even better, though, or "Could I have". Omitting "please" in any such request might sound a tad rude, admittedly.

It also may depend whereabouts in the world you are.

Dave3 Aug-26-2004

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This is an etiquette question, not a grammar question, lol :)

It depends on where you are. If you're in a formal business lunch, you certainly must say, "May I have..." or, "Would you please bring me..." another napkin, for example. In an informal business lunch, you may say, "Could I have..." or, "Please get me...." In a casual setting (such as a cafeteria, where the server stands behind the line and hands you what you point at), it is courteous to say, "I would like some...."

It's always OK to answer, "The broiled fish special, please" in response to "What can I get for you?" or, "May I take your order?"

Cowboys eating with oil rig workers at a Texas barbecue joint are commonly heard to say, "Miss, get me some of that sliced pork." I guess that's not shockingly disrespectful... but it's not polite.

And always, always say "Thank you" to the server when they have done what you asked.

speedwell2 Aug-26-2004

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If I were a waiter and somebody said "can I get a coffee", I would be inclined to say "go ahead" and then just stand there.

If they the customer then asked where the beverage was, I would say: "Oh, I'm sorry; I thought you wanted to get it yourself. Would you like me to get it for you?"

pedontic Aug-26-2004

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OK, I think the concensus is 'can I get' is not ideal, but said in the right manner and with a 'please' is marginally acceptable.

And I was in Australia. Does that make a difference :)

clivebellmore Aug-26-2004

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I think that has a lot to do with whereabout you are. I am always afraid of speaking to elderly native English speaking people since the way we speak English here in Denmark may sound totally vulgar.
Also I have for instance learned something, let say, from an Irish and then that wasn't quite understood the same way when I said it to an American.

goossun Aug-27-2004

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"Can I get" isn't rude, it's just casual. In a diner or something, I would have no problem asking "can I get," especially for things like coffee refills. In a formal setting, I'd use "may I have," but when Flo the waitress is making small talk with me, I'm not going to play Miss Manners.

popsnap Aug-28-2004

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I usually say "I'd like some..." or "Can I have..." so that is neither. I don't always say please, unless my kids are with me... to be a good influence.

ladylucy1 Sep-21-2004

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Nick, I don't think the problem with CAN I GET is that it's rude, but that it isn't understood everywhere. Certainly in Britain CAN I GET would be interpreted CAN I FETCH FOR MYSELF, which in a restaurant would seem a rather odd request to English ears.

Dave3 Sep-21-2004

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Dave (from Sept. 21) is correct. Asking "Can I..." implies that you are questioning your ability to perform any given action. For instance, asking "Can I wash my hands" implies whether or not you can physically wash your hands.

Asking "May I..." denotes that you are asking permission to do something. For example, asking "May I have another book," implies that you would like permission to take an additional book.

curmudgeon Sep-21-2004

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Eurgh. No, that's not what I meant. CAN I and MAY I have long overlapped in English usage as a means of requesting permission. It was GET that I was suggesting would confuse an Englishman, which in that particular context would sound like FETCH FOR MYSELF.

Dave3 Sep-22-2004

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I hate the term "can I get "with a passion. It seems like an Americanism to me. I have always been taught to say "could I have. ... " Please. Or obviously "please may I have".

Mick Carlton May-07-2015

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@Mick Carlton

HEAR HEAR!!!!

user106928 May-07-2015

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When you say, "Can I get..?" in the UK, it's generally considered a f**king rude Americanism. Happy Thanksgiving, though.

Dave Jenkins Nov-26-2015

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How should a waiter or bartender address a customer?
"Do you want .........................?"
or
"Would you like.....................?"

user106928 Nov-26-2015

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Overhead yesterday in a coffee shop:
Customer: Excuse me; I was wondering if I could trouble you for a side salad.
Waitress: Side salad?

Slight mismatch of styles!

jayles the unwoven Nov-26-2015

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As far as I can discern, it is neither impolite nor polite. However, it is incorrect. "Can I get [something]?" implies that the person is asking whether it is possible that they, themselves, are able to go and fetch or obtain something e.g. "Can I get petrol there?" or because they are asking whether another person would like something that they could obtain on their behalf, for example "Can I get you a drink?"

If they are asking a waiter, bartender, shop assistant or other person serving if they would go and fetch something for them on their behalf, they should ask the question "May I have/can I have/could I have" and similar variants preferably with "please" in there somewhere!

Caroline1 Mar-21-2017

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I mean it depends on how you are using say if your saying can i go get some more food you are asking am i able to go get some more food. So i think can i is proper but my teacher corrects me every time

Tamir Smith Mar-29-2017

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"Can I get?" instead of "Can I please have?" is yet ANOTHER Americanism. Why are people like sheep when it comes to anything American?

RATTY Jun-14-2017

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Another Americanism that is creeping into our vocabulary is "listen up". Also, why are so many British women and men obsessed with driving 4 x 4's (another American influence). America has the infrastructure to deal with them - our little island doesn't! Glad I got that off my chest!

RATTY Jun-15-2017

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"May I have" or "I would like" would be preferable to any of the "get" options when speaking to a waiter or shop assistant.
When speaking to a customer the use of "do you want......" should be dropped in favour of "would you like".

"Listen up" and "do the math" should be consigned to the bin for all time.

user106928 Jun-18-2017

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I cannot stand ‘Can I get...’ I was taught to say ‘I would like...please’ or ‘I will have...’ when placing an order. The other thing that has taken over the American English language is ‘I’m good’ instead of no thanks. It’s used by adults in restaurants and kids as a dismissive ‘I don’t want to do that’.

SAL405 Jul-30-2019

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At one time I would have said yes, but I hear my daughter saying, "Can I get...?" and she is not at all a rude person. I think it is just another way of asking. Language does change and, as another commentator has put, it depends on where you are in the world; I am told that US citizens view the 'have' as strange, whereas, to us old Brits, "Can I get....?" suggests the answer - "Well, yes, you can, but I won't be giving it you!"
I really would prefer a, "please" tacked on to the front.

user108962 Jun-22-2020

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Biss

user109801 Jan-17-2021

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Um i have a quetion can i get something to eat or may i get something to eat?

user109801 Jan-17-2021

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absolutely! i recall first noticing people saying, "can i get..." in or around 2003 and I thought, WT... Since when have people suddenly started using such a vulgar expression and why change from "please may I have..." at all?

eugenedaniel Mar-21-2021

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Anyone who says ‘can I get’ is an unintelligent, wannabe American idiot who is disgracing the English language.!

Also stop saying ‘amazing’ when thing’s aren’t! Amazing is someone who overcomes adversity not someone taking a food order!

Tb46 Jan-25-2022

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Wholeheartedly agree

user111228 Sep-06-2022

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"Can I get", is rude. It appears to be an attempt to remove the need to express supplication or gratitude (please or thank you) , needlessly denigrating the provider and elevating the demander.

James1977 Oct-10-2022

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"Can I get", is rude. It appears to be an attempt to remove the need to express supplication or gratitude (please or thank you) , needlessly denigrating the provider and elevating the demander.

James1977 Oct-10-2022

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“Can I get…” is not perceived as rude in North America; merely uneducated. Language does drift, but it is worthwhile to fight against drift when it tends to denigrate meaning. As others have pointed out, “Can I get….” is, properly understood, an inquiry about the questioner’s physical ability to go obtain the thing himself. Unless the thing itself doesn’t exist, the proper response to a “Can I get…” question is, “You would know better than I whether you can or not.”

Count Flatula Nov-28-2022

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My answers would include:
Yes, there is one over there.
Yes, would you mind getting me one while you are at it?
If you can find one, you are welcome to go and get it.
Sure, as long as you don't expect me to go and get it for you.

If the full question was:
Can I get better at English, I might be tempted to answer:
Yes, if you work one it!

user112000 Jun-13-2023

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