Why don't they understand me when I ask to see a menu?

Question

Saludos todos,

Cuando voy a un restaurante, tipicamente yo quiero ver un menu antes de me siento.

Cuando pido el menu, yo digo "Puedo ver un menu por favor?" Y casi cada vez, no me entienden la primera vez. Recibo mucho "Senor?" con una mirada burlón. Luego digo "men-uuuu" y despues me entienden.

Por que no me entienden? Estoy pronunciendo correctamente, men-oo, y hablo español en mi trabajo todos los dias y la gente me entienden perfecto.

Gracias!

Scott

Answer 1

If you're in Spain, you should ask for una carta. Un menú is usually a three course meal that is served at lunch time. Hope this helps!

Thanks mate that is worth knowing , I hope to be there soon. - ray76, Sep 15, 2013

Thanks Helind, I am in Latin America, I wonder if it's the same here. - halofan00, Sep 16, 2013

halofan00 - if you figure it out, let me know. I'd love to know what word is used in the country you're in. - Helind, Sep 18, 2013

Answer 2

If this happens to you consistently, in multiple restaurants with different waiters, then most likely it's your pronunciation. Try asking the person what's wrong with how you say it.

If it's just one person in one place, then it's probably just some sort of confusion between you two. But again, ask him/her what the problem is.

Suerte!

I travel in Latin America, is it more common to say "carta" than "menu", like the first person who answered says is the case in Spain? - halofan00, Sep 16, 2013

Both are used and understood. - chileno, Sep 16, 2013

Answer 3

This is usually a problem of pronunciation. In English the word is drawn out "mennyou". In Spanish it is very kurt menú. No yuoooo sound at all.

Likely correct Gringo - pacofinkler, Sep 15, 2013

meh-NOO, that would be the best aproximation. - chileno, Sep 16, 2013

Thanks all! - halofan00, Sep 16, 2013