get vs bring / take

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Alex+  #504796  Thu, 24 Apr 08 01:21 PM
My English teacher says that ordering something in a restaurant we shouldn't use "take" and "bring". Instead of them we should use "get".

ex. I'll get the steak. not I'll take the steak.
Can I get another bottle of water? not Can you bring another bottle of water?

Could you explain to me why "take" and "bring" shouldn't be used?
  
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Mister Micawber  #504809  Thu, 24 Apr 08 01:32 PM
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I will have to disagree with your English teacher, if I understand your problem aright.  These are all OK:

To one's fellow guest:  I'll get/have the steak, I think.
To the waiter: I'll take/have/get the steak.

To one's fellow guest:  Can I get us another bottle of water?
To the waiter:  Can I get/have another bottle of water? / Can you bring another bottle of water?
  
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Alex+  #512707  Mon, 12 May 08 10:11 AM
Thank you very much, Mister Micawber, for you reply. I've been on holiday for two weeks so I could read your reply only today.

1. Could you explain the difference between "I'll take the steak." and " I'll get the steak."

2. My teacher says that we shouldn't use "bring" in a restaurant because it doesn't sound polite.
  
Mister Micawber  #512723  Mon, 12 May 08 11:39 AM
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I-- No difference; they are merely two ways to order or consider ordering the steak.
2-- Ridiculous!  At least in AmE or BrE it is fine.  To what regional English is your teacher referring?
  
nona the brit  #512880  Mon, 12 May 08 06:21 PM

they all sound ok to me but not the most common way of expressing this, which is 'have'. the most polite versions are shown first but the second are also acceptable. I must say I think 'take' is unusual in British English but they would understand it.

Can I have the steak please. I'll have the steak.

Can I have another bottle of water please. I'll have a glass of water.

  
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Alex+  #513233  Tue, 13 May 08 07:41 PM
My teacher teaches us British English or rather the English language she knows. But what I know exactly we use British book ;)

Nona, you wite 1. "the most polite versions are shown first but the second are also acceptable."
Do you mean that "get" is most polite than "take" or "bring"?

2. "I must say I think 'take' is unusual in British English" What about "bring"? Is it common in British English?
  
Anonymous  #532034  Tue, 24 Jun 08 09:27 PM
Actually,  shouldn't it be "May I have the steak please?:"
  
CalifJim  #532080  Tue, 24 Jun 08 11:25 PM
 
Alex+
Could you explain to me why "take" and "bring" shouldn't be used?
I think your teacher is saying that it's not polite to use too many imperatives, like Bring me a steak!

Can/Could you (please) bring me another bottle of water?  does not seem impolite to me, however -- although you might say I'd like another bottle of water, please.

I'll take the steak does not seem idiomatic to me.  I'll get the steak (said to a waiter) also seems unidiomatic.

The more idiomatic ones are:

I'll have the steak, please.

I'd like the steak, please. 

CJ

  
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CalifJim  #532083  Tue, 24 Jun 08 11:29 PM
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shouldn't it be "May I have the steak please?
Also possible, but (This is just my opinion) it tends toward the pusillanimous.  What if the waiter says, "No, I don't think you deserve the steak"?  Smile

You are ordering, after all!  The waiter really has no authority to refuse you.

CJ 

  
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