Asking for products at a store

Question

I am a Spanish learner who went to Spain. The thing that I had most difficulty with was asking for products at a store. For example, where I live, we might ask, "Do you have any grapes?" In Spain, though, I wasn't sure. Was that a correct way to check availability? If so which form of you should I have used, usted or vosotros? It felt strange asking one person a question using vosotros, but I felt like vosotros was better than usted because I didn't want to know if they personally had any grapes, I wanted to know if they the store had any.

If my question is too confusing, here it is in its essence: To say "Do you have any grapes?" in Spain as a way to check availability at a store: "¿Tiene usted uvas?" "¿Tenéis uvas?" or other?

Answer 1

I tend to use the impersonal "se" when asking if a product is available or sold at a particular store.

"¿Se venden uvas aquí?" (Are grapes sold here?)

"¿Se vende pan aquí?" (Is bread sold here?)

Also, when addressing a store clerk I would always use the "usted" form to show respect.

I posted an answer with some additional information. Thanks for your help! - kokolatte, Aug 10, 2010

Answer 2

La Poetisa said: Vosotros is for a group of people. Use usted.

Koko,

Does her comment answer the second part of your question?

I can add that "Ustedes" (you all) is used in Latin America and "Vosotros" is used in Spain.

No, I know what they mean. I am confused as to asking about a company (a group of people) to one employee (usted). Example: How is your buisiness doing? - kokolatte, Aug 10, 2010

Answer 3

Here in Murcia,Spain they tend to direct enquiries directly to a shop assitant by saying ¿Hay algun pan de molde? Is there any sliced bread? (when you can´t find it on the shelf) or ¿Tienes algun pan de molde? Do you have any sliced bread?

The ´tu´form is generally used not ´vosotros´and I tend to follow how the locals say things.

Answer 4

I, too am new and I think in spain you use the vosotros form.

As you study the lessons you will learn about how to use these different forms. Hopefully a more fluent member will answer your question more fully! They will probably use links or suggest the dictionary or reference areas. These are ways we learn. Welcome!

Thanks! Here's hoping we both continue to learn lots! - kokolatte, Aug 10, 2010

Answer 5

So se venden was correct. That's half my question, but I am also curious as to how you address an employee (because I'm sure this will come up again). You seem to have misunderstood that part of my question: not an usted versus tú question but an usted versus vosotros question. In inquiring after a company when speaking to one employee would I use usted or vosotros?

Vosotros is for a group of people. Use usted. - NikkiLR, Aug 10, 2010