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I often feel as though I may be coming across rude when ordering in Spanish.
In English I would say something like:
1) Could I have a coffee please?
2) Can I have a coffee please?
3) I'll have a coffee please.
But I would never say "I want a coffee please."
Whereas I've read that it is appropriate in Spanish to say "Quiero un café por favor."
What would be the best way to say things like this in Spanish in an informal/casual setting?
Thanks.
Some idiomatic expressions for polite requests:
Adding por favor is not essential, but it adds more politeness for the request.
Words like podría, sería, etc. add the smoothness for polite requests.
These are some common expressions used in Spain.
The most common thing to say is just:
Un café, por favor.
If you want to be more polite you can also say:
If you are really asking if it's possible to have a certain item in the menu because, say, coffee is only served until 12:00 and it's 12:01, you can say:
Literal translations like ¿puedo/podría tomar un café? sound weird because it sounds like you're asking for permission.
I've read that it is appropriate in Spanish to say "Quiero un café por favor."
I share your discomfort, and find
Quisiera un café, por favor.
more polite.
Now, a casual approach in Mexico would be
¿Me traes un café, por favor?
