The politeness toolkit: por favor, disculpe, con permiso

Explanation

Attention-getters: disculpe (formal), perdón, oiga/oye. Moving past someone: con permiso, answered pase or propio (Bolivia/Southern Cone). Entering: ¿se puede?

Buen provecho greets people eating (expected in Bolivia when crossing a dining room). A la orden / para servirle close service interactions.

These small words carry the culture: con permiso to pass through (answered pase or, in Bolivia and the Southern Cone, propio), ¿se puede? to enter, and buen provecho to people who are eating, expected in Bolivia when you cross a dining room. Service interactions close with a la orden or para servirle.

Examples

Related rules

• Thanking and responding: gracias, de nada, no hay de qué
• Apologizing: perdón, lo siento, disculpá