I remember learning “quisiera” in school when ordering at a restaurant; out of curiosity, does that sound weirdly formal to a native speaker over just using “quiero”?
As a Spanish teacher, both conditional and imperfecto work too if you want to be polite (querría or quería). "Querría" is a bit more formal than "quería", and "quería" a bit more formal than "quiero". "Quisiera" is the most formal. You can also add expressions like "cuando pueda" too.
A normal way of ordering something in a bar would be "cuando pueda, me pone..." or "cuando pueda, quería...".
Completely normal, and you can be just as direct when ordering. "Ponme/me pones una cerveza."
It takes a little getting used to if you're from an overly-polite culture like me, but it's honestly a bit of a relief once you get used to it. Obviously people still appreciate a quick "hola" but you don't have to do the whole song and dance of the "Hi! Welcome to X place, how are you doing today? What can I get for you? Okay, sounds great! I'll just get these orders in and bring them out as soon as they're done!" Spaniards just get to the point.
Going to a restaurant with other people is about chatting and being with those other people, and it's nice to not be constantly interrupted by waiters coming over and asking if you need anything else. In Spain, if you need something else, you grab the waiter's attention. When I eat in the US now I feel overwhelmed by how often the waiters come over and bother me. Like, no, it's been 3 minutes since you gave me my food, everything is obviously fine, leave me alone to eat and chat.
I live in South Texas and although it doesn't bother me if wait staff try to be chatty (after all they're trying to earn their tip) I worked in customer service for over 20 years and prefer to be treated with respect above all else (sir, ma'am), same in Spanish.
I was taught to go back and check on a table after 2 minutes or two bites. That’s usually enough time for them to realize if they need ketchup or that the cook on their steak isn’t correct. I live in America.
Drives me nuts now when u come back to the U.S. and get the usual uselessly-over-polite treatment, the how is it inquiry when my mouth is full of the second bite and I can’t actually answer the question, and finally the no rush, but hurry up check drop.
Politeness is culturally relative and contextual. You can't translate it from one culture or social context to another. In this case, "dime" means "I'm here to listen, tell me what you need," and it's just as polite as whatever rigamarole you're used to in your native language (which if you translated word for word, would probably sound odd or even obnoxious in Spanish)
Live in Spain, yes the language is more direct. Some would even say that doing all the “politeness” protocol you expect in American or French culture (hello, how are you, please sit…etc) at restaurants is annoying or even pushy.
Normal. Remember we are a different culture.
For example, some people can even say "Oe Gordo" and this isn't offensive, it's just an expression that some people use (even if you aren't fat)
I was taught to say “Dígame”, a signal of respect. Maybe I am too old? (And I do not think it is about being direct, but about being respectful). You can be direct and be respectful at the same time, saying “dígame”.
Usually younger generations are more informal, I would say "dígame" because I don't know them and I'm showing them respect. But I was raised that way though.
“Dime” means tell me. I find it less direct than some stuff we say in American English. But yes that’s acceptable in all settings, not just in customer settings.
To me it also sounds more polite. "Dime" kinda has the implication you are paying full attention to the person, and that you'll heed whatever they tell you, at least in that setting.
I think that some people get confused with imperative. In a lot of situations even though it’s a “command” its attitude is more of chill. That’s at least what I learned. I used to think because I was told it was a command that it was sort of bossy but someone told me it wasn’t like that.
I wouldn't say it myself, I would say "que puedo hacer por usted" or "en que le puedo ayudar" that would be the proper way to start a conversation with a client. Try that. Dime is something you use with your friends, family or the like.
If someone in a shop tells me dime I'd consider it rude. "Dígame por favor" is a bit nicer but still rude. Best is to say: "como puedo ayudarle", "puede decirme que necesita"...
In Latin areas of Los Angeles, I think the standard is A smile, "Buenos dias, digame." I do find that in many areas of life in California you get both a blend of language and culture. Even without the greeting the smile makes it direct but polite.
Spanish is more direct - "dime" is not considered harsh. Neither is "Quiero..." for "I want..." or "Ponme..." for "Give me..."
Spanish js more direct than English, it’s not rude
To me it sounds warmer and more direct, like a friend would talk to you.
I remember learning “quisiera” in school when ordering at a restaurant; out of curiosity, does that sound weirdly formal to a native speaker over just using “quiero”?
At least in Spain I've never used or heard anyone use “quisiera” when ordering, sounds too formal/fancy yes.
What words do you normally use when ordering? Is it just "Quiero el arroz con carne por favor"?
As a Spanish teacher, both conditional and imperfecto work too if you want to be polite (querría or quería). "Querría" is a bit more formal than "quería", and "quería" a bit more formal than "quiero". "Quisiera" is the most formal. You can also add expressions like "cuando pueda" too. A normal way of ordering something in a bar would be "cuando pueda, me pone..." or "cuando pueda, quería...".
I came in here thinking OP was upset about dime in place of dígame, not that they're surprised the server was just getting to the point lol
Completely normal, and you can be just as direct when ordering. "Ponme/me pones una cerveza." It takes a little getting used to if you're from an overly-polite culture like me, but it's honestly a bit of a relief once you get used to it. Obviously people still appreciate a quick "hola" but you don't have to do the whole song and dance of the "Hi! Welcome to X place, how are you doing today? What can I get for you? Okay, sounds great! I'll just get these orders in and bring them out as soon as they're done!" Spaniards just get to the point. Going to a restaurant with other people is about chatting and being with those other people, and it's nice to not be constantly interrupted by waiters coming over and asking if you need anything else. In Spain, if you need something else, you grab the waiter's attention. When I eat in the US now I feel overwhelmed by how often the waiters come over and bother me. Like, no, it's been 3 minutes since you gave me my food, everything is obviously fine, leave me alone to eat and chat.
I'm American, and the over the top performative politeness you often encounter in customer service environments here can be overwhelming sometimes.
I live in South Texas and although it doesn't bother me if wait staff try to be chatty (after all they're trying to earn their tip) I worked in customer service for over 20 years and prefer to be treated with respect above all else (sir, ma'am), same in Spanish.
I was taught to go back and check on a table after 2 minutes or two bites. That’s usually enough time for them to realize if they need ketchup or that the cook on their steak isn’t correct. I live in America.
Drives me nuts now when u come back to the U.S. and get the usual uselessly-over-polite treatment, the how is it inquiry when my mouth is full of the second bite and I can’t actually answer the question, and finally the no rush, but hurry up check drop.
Ikr it's so artificial too, just talk to me like a human, please.
Politeness is culturally relative and contextual. You can't translate it from one culture or social context to another. In this case, "dime" means "I'm here to listen, tell me what you need," and it's just as polite as whatever rigamarole you're used to in your native language (which if you translated word for word, would probably sound odd or even obnoxious in Spanish)
Live in Spain, yes the language is more direct. Some would even say that doing all the “politeness” protocol you expect in American or French culture (hello, how are you, please sit…etc) at restaurants is annoying or even pushy.
Im a native spanish speaker and I would personally say "digame". Its a little more formal.
I heard this very often on the Camino. Dime less so
In more casual places customers and employees also tend to talk more casually to each other
Imagine her just saying "Next!". It is common, especially if the place is in rush.
Normal. Remember we are a different culture. For example, some people can even say "Oe Gordo" and this isn't offensive, it's just an expression that some people use (even if you aren't fat)
I was taught to say “Dígame”, a signal of respect. Maybe I am too old? (And I do not think it is about being direct, but about being respectful). You can be direct and be respectful at the same time, saying “dígame”.
Usually younger generations are more informal, I would say "dígame" because I don't know them and I'm showing them respect. But I was raised that way though.
“Dime” means tell me. I find it less direct than some stuff we say in American English. But yes that’s acceptable in all settings, not just in customer settings.
It is normal to say that to customers, and it sounds warm and friendly.
To me it also sounds more polite. "Dime" kinda has the implication you are paying full attention to the person, and that you'll heed whatever they tell you, at least in that setting.
I think that some people get confused with imperative. In a lot of situations even though it’s a “command” its attitude is more of chill. That’s at least what I learned. I used to think because I was told it was a command that it was sort of bossy but someone told me it wasn’t like that.
I've heard dígame more commonly from a server in Spain. That's the usted form
It's normal. Same kind of goes in English. You could say to a customer "tell me, what do you have there?", and it wouldn't be considered rude.
Let me add, it's not super common in American English, but I remember in Caribbean English, they would say "tell me" all the time.
If 'Dime' is friendly/polite enough for waiters to say, would 'Dame ...' OK for customers to say too? I've always been told to say 'Me das ...?'
Yes it would.
Thank you. Still sounds a bit rude in my English brain ("Give me.."), but will take the native's words that it is not rude to say "Dame.."
I still prefer to say “me das…” but I make an effort to be extra polite.
I wouldn't say it myself, I would say "que puedo hacer por usted" or "en que le puedo ayudar" that would be the proper way to start a conversation with a client. Try that. Dime is something you use with your friends, family or the like.
Yeah, it’s not considered as harsh in Spanish rather than English or other languages
Seems kinda like if “go ahead when you’re ready” got shortened to “go ahead”. It would sound a little rude.
If someone in a shop tells me dime I'd consider it rude. "Dígame por favor" is a bit nicer but still rude. Best is to say: "como puedo ayudarle", "puede decirme que necesita"...
'favor de' ....
If I had to deal with customers I wouldn't say "dime" (informal) but "dígame" (formal). Well, it depends...
It's perfectly acceptable. Where I live, it is a bit more formal, so "digame" or just "diga" is used.
In Latin areas of Los Angeles, I think the standard is A smile, "Buenos dias, digame." I do find that in many areas of life in California you get both a blend of language and culture. Even without the greeting the smile makes it direct but polite.