Merculangelo wrote:
When you are visiting someone's house, how do you ask for things, such as a drink of water or to use the bathroom?
I've been running over through my head all the phrases I know and they all don't seem right.
"May I have a glass of water?" That sounds nice and polite, but if they are really casual (i.e. relative), they might think its weird if they think its ok for me to go in their kitchen and find my way around their stuff. But i'd feel nervous doing that. And if its weird, maybe they think I'm asking them to get me one themself like a servant, and that's not polite.
"Do you guys have any waterbottles?" But waterbottles aren't environmentally friendly, and these ppl are really environmentally cautious.
"Can I have some water?" That just sounds really crude.
Then I had to go to the bathroom. If you know where the bathroom is, do you still ask to use it? I tested the sound of that in my brain, "Can I use your restroom?" And that sounded wrong.
As far as the water is concerned I would say
"Where are your cups? I would like to get myself some water" or some variation of that. You want to sound like you will serve yourself not expect them to do it for you.
The only time you should "May I have a glass of water" is when they ask you if you want a drink or refreshment. Then it is implied they will serve you.
If you know where the bathroom is, just use it without having any discussion on it. If you don't know where it is then just say "Can you tell me where your bathroom is please?"
Asking to use the bathroom is rarely needed if ever.