How should I ask for a bill in a restaurant politely?
I used to say check please, but my English teacher said that it's wrong, and the proper way is to say something like bill please.
What's the truth?
Solution 1:
The most polite ways are probably:
"May we have the bill/check, please?"
"Could we have the bill/check, please?"
"Could we get the bill/check, please?
This has the meaning... "Is it possible for you to give us the bill, as we're ready to leave and wish to pay"
Alternatively, when the server comes by and asks if you'd like anything else, a polite response would be:
"No thanks, just the bill, please"
"Excuse me, Bill/check please" is casual and perhaps fine in casual situations, but it's still a little curt. You can't go wrong with a full sentence question.
Note, in Canada, I've seen the word "bill" used most often.
Also note, in a Fancy restaurant, you will typically be asked if there is anything else. A simple, "No thanks, I think that's all for tonight" will tip the server to bring the bill. When paying, a credit card put in the envelope and left on the table will have the server silently take an bring back the completed bill.
Solution 2:
I think check is American, bill is British : both are fine, adding "Can I have" as Daniel says is certainly more polite. A common way to ask for the bill is to just make extended eye contact with the waiter, perhaps making a 'writing a cheque' guesture.
Solution 3:
Two parts to your question. Each part has been accurately but separately answered elsewhere but here's the summary:
1. When asking for the bill/check in a restaurant, what's the polite way to phrase the question?
See Atomix's answer:
"May we have the bill/check, please?"
"Could we have the bill/check, please?"
"Could we get the bill/check, please?
2. Is there a politeness difference between bill and check?
As TRiG's answer says, there is none. But check is used chiefly in the USA and bill is used in the UK (and I think most other English speaking territories).
Solution 4:
"Can I have the bill, please."