Polite way to say have a seat...

Question

Is it: Tener un asiento. ?? or should I say Por favor first?

Rachel

u must say ' tome asiento" that's all - CarlouiS, AGO 17, 2009

Answer 1

Thanks. I was mainly asking if Tener un asiento was the proper way to say it.

I am never sure if I should do literal translations. After all, "de nada", isn't "you're welcome".

So I wasn't sure if they have a customary way to say "have a seat" or "sit down".

Rachel

Answer 2

I don't think siénte(n)se, por favor, though a command, is thought to be overly harsh. I suppose it depends on the speaker's tone of voice, but I don't think it's a command like when your mother said "SIT DOWN, young man/lady" which could easily equate to "if you even move a muscle, you're dead".

tome asiento, por favor