Choosing the Right Polite Phrase in Hospitality

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Hospitality Workshop! I'm Bob.

And I'm Jenny. Today we're tackling a question we get all the time from restaurant servers: When

do I say "May I" and when do I say "Can I"? Right! So here's the thing—it

depends entirely on the restaurant type. Let's break it down quickly.

Fine dining? Always "May I." May I take your order? May I suggest the

wine pairing? It's formal, it's polite, it shows respect. Exactly.

Now, casual dining—most family restaurants—you want "Can I." Can I get you started

with drinks? Can I clear that plate for you? It's warm, it's friendly,