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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I'll get the salmon

293 replies

wand3rer · 23/05/2026 15:55

Any tiny little habits that make you feel a bit more “put together”?

For example, in a restaurant I’ll just say “I’ll get the salmon” instead of reading out the whole dish name exactly as it’s written on the menu (“salmon with roasted potatoes and vegetables”).

It’s such a ridiculously small thing but it makes me feel smoother 😎😂

What else?

OP posts:
Original poster
wand3rer · 23/05/2026 16:25

sunhat100 · 23/05/2026 16:11

But you didn't say that?

Show quote history

No, I didn’t. But I also didn’t mention all the other things I would have done in both cases: making eye contact, politely confirming that we were ready to order when the waiter or waitress asked, tipping, etc. 😁

OP posts:
hatorgal · 23/05/2026 16:24

wand3rer · 23/05/2026 16:11

Oh, that's interesting! I'm not British. Until recently, I would have used 'I'll have the salmon'. But I was told that 'I'll get' is actually the right phrasing in the UK

@PoppieCock @likelysuspect @BeardySchnauzer

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This is getting the salmon. 😂 except it's not a big game fish before anyone starts 🙄

Wicked Tuna Fishing GIF by National Geographic TV
W0tnow · 23/05/2026 16:23

Typo but it’s staying! 😂

BlackCat14 · 23/05/2026 16:22

I must be REALLY “put together” as I doing think ever in my life I’ve read out every part.

I’d always say “can I have the burger please?” never “can I have the burger with chips and coleslaw please?” Or I’d say “can I have the chicken fajhitas please” certainly never “can I have the chicken fajhitas with wraps and peppers and onions and cheese and salsa and guacamole and lettuce please?” Or I’d say “can I have the steak pie please?” never “can I have the steak pie with potatoes and vegetables and gravy please?”

I’d only specify if there were options (eg pie comes with a choice of mash or chips).

BeardySchnauzer · 23/05/2026 16:21

W0tnow · 23/05/2026 16:20

I cringe a bit when people hold up the menu and point to what they want and read it out loud. Before anyone comes for me, it doesn’t ruin my day, I don’t judge, and I don’t feel that they are in anyway inferior.

As to your thread, I like walking into my bedroom when it’s time for bed and my head is neatly made, including a decorative cushion or two.

I know that’s a spellcheck error but I’m laughing at the idea of a neat head with nicely arranged cushions on it!

WhyWouldSomeoneDoThat · 23/05/2026 16:21

For me, it’s wearing lipstick. I feel like I can take on the world if I put my lipping on!

liveforsummer · 23/05/2026 16:21

sweetpickle2 · 23/05/2026 16:15

In America I think they'd be more likely to say "I'll do the salmon" so 'get' sounds preferable to me!

But agree with PP I don't think anyone reads out the whole description, do they?

Depends what is us - often there is a choice of sides so you need to read out which you want or, new potatoes rather than chips or jacket. Veg rather than salad etc. far easier you do that sharing way rather than waiting for the server to prompt

SemmaLina · 23/05/2026 16:20

@wand3rer

3 words not to be used in nicely spoken English are
Got , Get or Git

“I’d like the salmon , please “ is one of the better ways

AnnieBond · 23/05/2026 16:20

wand3rer · 23/05/2026 16:11

Oh, that's interesting! I'm not British. Until recently, I would have used 'I'll have the salmon'. But I was told that 'I'll get' is actually the right phrasing in the UK

@PoppieCock @likelysuspect @BeardySchnauzer

Show quote history

What idiot do you claim told you that?

W0tnow · 23/05/2026 16:20

I cringe a bit when people hold up the menu and point to what they want and read it out loud. Before anyone comes for me, it doesn’t ruin my day, I don’t judge, and I don’t feel that they are in anyway inferior.

As to your thread, I like walking into my bedroom when it’s time for bed and my head is neatly made, including a decorative cushion or two.

DailyEnergyCrisis · 23/05/2026 16:18

Definitely not what ‘put together’ means to me and I also thought it sounded a bit rude/poorly articulated but we’re all different.

sunhat100 · 23/05/2026 16:18

wand3rer · 23/05/2026 16:11

Oh, that's interesting! I'm not British. Until recently, I would have used 'I'll have the salmon'. But I was told that 'I'll get' is actually the right phrasing in the UK

@PoppieCock @likelysuspect @BeardySchnauzer

Show quote history

It's definitely NOT correct. It's a crappy Americanism probably from kids watching MTV and not acceptable

AnnieBond · 23/05/2026 16:17

JustMerelyHere · 23/05/2026 15:59

Is that what "put together" means?

Nope

NConthe · 23/05/2026 16:17

BeardySchnauzer · 23/05/2026 16:13

That is interesting - I’ve always only heard I’ll have or please may I have

Watch some Gordon Ramsey US shows and you’ll hear it.

Im gonna get me a salmon, and I’ll get the cobb. And I’m gonna go right ahead and get a beer.

Get get get 😅

MyAutumnCrow · 23/05/2026 16:17

wand3rer · 23/05/2026 16:11

Oh, that's interesting! I'm not British. Until recently, I would have used 'I'll have the salmon'. But I was told that 'I'll get' is actually the right phrasing in the UK

@PoppieCock @likelysuspect @BeardySchnauzer

Show quote history

No no noooo, OP.

It's 'can I get the salmon with a coke to go?'

Words · 23/05/2026 16:16

Never ‘get.’ ‘Please may I have.’
Whoever told you that was pulling your leg.

Thebinisrightthere · 23/05/2026 16:15

I usually read out the whole line just to confirm I expect to get everything that it says! I'm not saying I'd just get a plate of salmon & nothing else if I didn't specify but I just like to make sure...

sweetpickle2 · 23/05/2026 16:15

In America I think they'd be more likely to say "I'll do the salmon" so 'get' sounds preferable to me!

But agree with PP I don't think anyone reads out the whole description, do they?

BeardySchnauzer · 23/05/2026 16:13

That is interesting - I’ve always only heard I’ll have or please may I have

johnd2 · 23/05/2026 16:13

This thread went off the rails pretty quickly!

I'll go next - setting an alarm for when I have to set off for something and actually arriving on time without having to rush

Ponoka7 · 23/05/2026 16:13

wand3rer · 23/05/2026 16:11

Oh, that's interesting! I'm not British. Until recently, I would have used 'I'll have the salmon'. But I was told that 'I'll get' is actually the right phrasing in the UK

@PoppieCock @likelysuspect @BeardySchnauzer

Show quote history

Nope, get is American. I'd like, I'll have, is British, English.

Original poster
wand3rer · 23/05/2026 16:11

DobbyTheHouseElk · 23/05/2026 15:58

That’s not very good grammar. I’ll have the salmon or may I have salmon is better.

Oh, that's interesting! I'm not British. Until recently, I would have used 'I'll have the salmon'. But I was told that 'I'll get' is actually the right phrasing in the UK

@PoppieCock @likelysuspect @BeardySchnauzer

OP posts:
sunhat100 · 23/05/2026 16:11

wand3rer · 23/05/2026 16:03

Yes, the ‘please’ is a given. In both cases. That’s why I didn’t include it in my original post

Show quote history

But you didn't say that?

liveforsummer · 23/05/2026 16:10

As above. Surely it’s I’ll ‘have’ the salmon. Get the salmon doesn’t actually make sense in this context as the waitress/waiter will ‘get’ it?!

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 23/05/2026 16:09

You know, I thought being "put together" was something I could achieve with dressing smartly and feeling confident. But now I see that sneering at and condescending to other posters on Mumsnet is the way to go.

Responders on this thread have inspired me. Thank you all.