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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:
BeardySchnauzer · 24/05/2026 19:02

ThreadGuardDog · 24/05/2026 19:00

Yep. She has eleven pages of corrections to refer to and very few replies to what she actually posted for. Biggest derail I’ve seen on MN and proof positive that posters don’t bother to read the thread, or even the OP’s updates before posting. Renders it all pointless.

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And I don’t understand why the new posters think they’ve said anything revelatory 300 posts in!

I wonder if a lot of people don’t consider the threads a conversation but just a place to opinion dump

ThreadGuardDog · 24/05/2026 19:00

CaptainMyCaptain · 24/05/2026 08:52

Why? At least the OP now knows she was previously misinformed about English grammar.

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Yep. She has eleven pages of corrections to refer to and very few replies to what she actually posted for. Biggest derail I’ve seen on MN and proof positive that posters don’t bother to read the thread, or even the OP’s updates before posting. Renders it all pointless.

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 24/05/2026 18:58

TomatoSandwiches · 23/05/2026 16:00

I don't think that sounds smoother, sounds all wrong to me...

This is what Americans would ask for.

Don't think it sounds smooth. But by the British it sounds naff and a bit sad really .Not cool.

ThreadGuardDog · 24/05/2026 18:56

Mithral · 24/05/2026 11:43

I don't normally bother to correct grammar by the way but 100s of posts being smug yet wrong is too much.

And it’s a fact that correcting grammar or spelling will get you deleted.

ThreadGuardDog · 24/05/2026 18:55

Greyblankie · 24/05/2026 14:35

When someone starts a thread claiming that they use a certain phrase as they believe it makes them look good, it’s to be expected that people will reply telling them that it doesn’t.

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For eleven pages ? Completely ignoring the actual reason for the thread ?

Ilikesundays · 24/05/2026 18:48

“I’ll get” is American and regarded as quite rude to most British readers.

TheHateIsNotGood · 24/05/2026 15:20

@LadyMacbethWasFierce . Please be assured that nothing about your post suggested that you would want to fish for your dish. It was merely a suggestion and obviously would be determined to the eaterie's proximity to a 'salmon river', if it was the season and if they had fishing rights.

It would ensure a very fresh fish on your plate though. Failing all of the above I still stand by the request for salmon being opened by "May I have" to be responded to with either yes, of course or I'm sorry it is now unavailable [before I had time to advise you it was no longer on the Menu today].

Greyblankie · 24/05/2026 14:35

Mithral · 24/05/2026 07:54

Do you really think the OP needs one more of these?

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When someone starts a thread claiming that they use a certain phrase as they believe it makes them look good, it’s to be expected that people will reply telling them that it doesn’t.

Mithral · 24/05/2026 12:10

Bellyblueboy · 24/05/2026 12:07

And you still haven’t corrected the grammar😂

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That's true actually, I stand corrected! I've been explaining a definition rather than correcting grammar.

Bellyblueboy · 24/05/2026 12:07

Mithral · 24/05/2026 11:43

I don't normally bother to correct grammar by the way but 100s of posts being smug yet wrong is too much.

And you still haven’t corrected the grammar😂

maddiemookins16mum · 24/05/2026 11:46

I’d say ‘Please may I have the Salmon’.

Mithral · 24/05/2026 11:43

I don't normally bother to correct grammar by the way but 100s of posts being smug yet wrong is too much.

Mithral · 24/05/2026 11:42

I acknowledged it wasn't standard usage but you're wrong to say the waiter should assume the OP meant to fetch.

sprigatito · 24/05/2026 11:40

Mithral · 24/05/2026 11:39

It was going for accurate/educational rather than interesting. Do you now understand where you went wrong in your understanding of the verb?

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No, it’s still a clumsy usage. British English is different from American, thankfully.

Mithral · 24/05/2026 11:39

sprigatito · 24/05/2026 11:33

Yes, I read it. It wasn’t particularly interesting.

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It was going for accurate/educational rather than interesting. Do you now understand where you went wrong in your understanding of the verb?

sprigatito · 24/05/2026 11:33

Mithral · 24/05/2026 11:32

Please refer to my post above yours.

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Yes, I read it. It wasn’t particularly interesting.

Mithral · 24/05/2026 11:32

sprigatito · 24/05/2026 11:30

It’s tempting for the waiter to say “oh, that’s so helpful of you, I’m run off my feet today. It’s in the walk-in, third shelf on the right. Just give it three minutes in the microwave”.

Edited

Please refer to my post above yours.

sprigatito · 24/05/2026 11:30

It’s tempting for the waiter to say “oh, that’s so helpful of you, I’m run off my feet today. It’s in the walk-in, third shelf on the right. Just give it three minutes in the microwave”.

Mithral · 24/05/2026 11:27

I can see people find it difficult to understand but "to get" does not mean "to fetch". Sometimes it does but it ala has different meanings including to receive (as in "I wonder what I'll get for Christmas").

Normally people can tell by context which meaning is correct but I can see this is too difficult for a lot of people on this thread.

It is true that "can I get" is not the usual English form of asking for something but it's not grammatically wrong.

LadyMacbethWasFierce · 24/05/2026 09:11

@TheHateIsNotGood - can I ask what it is about my “I’ll have the salmon please” that sounds as though I am about to go and fish for it? I’m not trying to start an argument; just genuinely baffled about that.

And to the poster who asked how I ensure I’m never late (I genuinely never am); the answer I think is partly down to where I live, partly down to my personality and obviously a bit of luck. I live centrally in a small city. Nowhere that I might have appointments for or have to visit for work is more than a 20 minute drive away and many places are walkable. So a mix of driving/walking the fairly short distances. And I pretty much always allow double the length of time I need when travelling in the city (so for my son’s regular hospital appointments I allow 30 mins to drive rather than the 15 needed and if, as we usually are, we are early we have a cup of tea together in the nice hospital cafe).

For longer journeys out of the city I take one train earlier than I need to. I have a book and my tablet with me so can find work to do or read to use my time.

I hate being late; it’s a priority for me not to be, so I plan accordingly.

BeardySchnauzer · 24/05/2026 08:58

The most ridiculous thing about this thread is the number of people coming on 200 posts on and thinking no one else has mentioned the ‘I’ll get’

OP gets it - read all her posts and you’ll see she accepted it in good grace

put the pitchforks down!!

CaptainMyCaptain · 24/05/2026 08:52

Jk987 · 24/05/2026 08:40

This thread is ridiculous!

Why? At least the OP now knows she was previously misinformed about English grammar.

Jk987 · 24/05/2026 08:40

This thread is ridiculous!

pinkstripeycat · 24/05/2026 08:36

PoppieCock · 23/05/2026 15:59

In fact if I was a waitress, I'd be tempted to say "No madam, please remain seated and allow us to get the salmon for you". 🤣🤣

Brilliant! 👏

InterestedDad37 · 24/05/2026 08:34

"I'll get the salmon, please. With an involuntary eye-roll and a side order of condescension" 😀

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