Ordering at a restaurant

Question

I know there are a bunch of posts on this, but I still have trouble finding the answer to this question. I know most answers say to order at a restaurant you would say "Me gustaria" and whatever you'd like after that. However, where I'm living right now, I've never heard any native speaker use that phrase, ever. When I used that phrase the waitress gave me that "you're crazy yet I feel bad for you" look. Most of the native speakers seem to use "Me da" or something like that. For example, they say (I think) "Me da un pollo con lechuga," and they never get that crazy look from the waitresses. Is this right? I even heard someone use "trai un chips" when asking for more tortilla chips and it worked very well (tortilla chips were quickly refilled). Am I hearing correctly when the native speakers are ordering at a restaurant?

Welcome to the forum! Your specific question with use of both languages along with a great sense of humor is wonderful! - bandit51jd, Apr 14, 2012

Are you in the DR? They tend to be very direct as opposed to other countries that prefer more common courtesies. - katydew, Apr 14, 2012

I'm in the U.S., southwest Texas. - watermonitor, Apr 14, 2012

Answer 1

Hello!

I can say that the phrase '¿me da...?' is normal and not impolite. I hear it and use it almost every day. The other one you are probably hearing is '¿me trae...?' (usted), which is also normal.

'¿Me da...?' (usted) / '¿Me das..?.' (tú) -- I usually stick with the first one.

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I live in Mexico.

Thanks! That's exactly what I've been hearing! - watermonitor, Apr 14, 2012

=) - NikkiLR, Apr 14, 2012

Answer 2

Hi Watermonitor,

There's nothing wrong with "Me gustaria", but that's a bit too literal because it expresses a wish (you would like something, but are you actually ordering or not?) The other extreme is what you are actually hearing the natives say "Me da" o "Me traes (not trais)" is very colloquial and impolite.

I would recommend using:

¿Me puede/me podría traer/dar un pollo con lechuga, por favor?

Let me know how it goes.

Thanks! I will try it! - watermonitor, Apr 14, 2012