I'll get the salmon

[wand3rer]

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?

@wavestofind poo bags in your handbag. Instantly super organised. You don’t even need a dog. When you’re walking along and you see the panicked face of a dog walker who ran out you can smugly offer one up

“I’ll get” sounds very American. Are you American?

”I’d like the salmon, please” would be more appropriate, I think.

I think the OP gets it now

I know one, selecting 'Read all' on a long thread, makes me feel put together 😂

🤣 the smuggery of realising that 200 posts in your answer to the first post will be groundbreaking

The OP started an interesting thread that has been completely detailrd by comments about “get” v “have”.

For what it’s worth I’d say “I’ll have the salmon please.”

And I agree that comes across as a bit more polished than reading out the whole description. Or pointing to it on the menu as you read.

My own little habits to seem a bit more smooth and polished (when I used to be a confident outgoing person) were never to have the appointment letter or invitation whatever it was in my hand as I arrived somewhere. I obviously always had it in my bag if necessary. But I would never arrive somewhere clutching the letter.

I am never, ever, late.

I have compartments in my (not too large) bag so I don’t have to fumble for things. Not fumbly, not hesitant, not late. Those things really made a difference.

I always had a make up bag of emergency supplies with me (plasters, tissues, paracetamol,

The biggest thing I think was being pleasant, smiley, polite yet quietly assertive.

@BeardySchnauzer @ClaredeBear

Yes, setting your coffee maker up the night before, having a spare roll of dog‑poo bags, and starting a better skincare routine all count!

Thanks for putting my post back on track ❤️

😆 that could be me - I didn’t read the whole thread! 🙈.

Nevermind - as long as the OP gets the message, hey?! 😂

I don’t think OP will step foot in a restaurant again!!!

I’ve thought of another - getting my outfit out the night before. It gives me the time to put a little thought into it and make sure what I want to wear is clean so there’s no panic in the morning!!

@wavestofind

I can’t really think of many. That’s why I’m asking 😂

A lot of it seems to be about preparedness or making life easier by having a routine in place. It could be as simple as carrying a couple of tissues in your bag or scheduling your boiler maintenance.

But I’m also interested in the ones like the example I gave (efficient ordering and paying in a restaurant), because those require no prep. It’s just somehow smooth

'May I have; is peak UK politeness because it just could be that the Salmon might be unavailable.

It gives the 'staff' an opportunity to describe the salmon as being unavailable purely because it is - without offending Modom, should she take offence at the salmon not being available. Because there isn't any.

@LadyMacbethWasFierce

I particularly like the one about the invitation. That’s exactly the kind of tip or habit I’m after! ❤️

"My own little habits to seem a bit more smooth and polished (when I used to be a confident outgoing person) were never to have the appointment letter or invitation whatever it was in my hand as I arrived somewhere. I obviously always had it in my bag if necessary. But I would never arrive somewhere clutching the letter."

Exactly!!

I’ll get?

Please may I have the …

OP have you read the post on the strangest things you have ever been told off for at work?
You might relate !

Nine pages of this. I think OP gets it.

Now if it was an eaterie renowned for its salmon with some fishing rights and it was within season. I'd be giving Modom and @LadyMacbethWasFierce and their crew some galoshes and rods and pointing them in the direction of the river.

Hopefully their tissues and invitations won't get too waterlogged.

"I'll have the salmon please/the salmon please (with xyz side dishes) " is fine. If you want to pass as British. Your phraseology is US, but if you're American, it would be fine.

ETA the British are not renowed for being "smooth and polished", James Bond is a fictional character. We are more known for mooning at the French and waving our draw fingers, ala the archers at Agincourt.

I think you need to start a new thread OP. I will join and share my dog poo bag hack again to get things started 🙄

just don’t mention salmon and say ‘please can I have the chicken’

I support this approach.

I would always do "I'll have the salmon thank-you"

‘I’ll get’ is rough.

Please can I have the salmon, classy.

The use of 'get' in the context of someone else getting something for you is rude.

@Warmlight1 @BeardySchnauzer @ClaredeBear

Didn’t see that coming! I’ll give it a few months and try again with wording that hopefully offends absolutely no one 😂

Yeah good luck with that!!!