I would say it is simply a question. You interpret that phrase as an offer because in that context it is a set phrase for inviting somebody to order something… Likewise, I think Je prends in the same context is a normal standard phrase used for ordering something.
With commonly used phrases like this I think you cannot always be too literal. If you are asked how you will pay and you say En liquide, they do not expect you to give them a bottle of beer or wine or water.
But it is always difficult for non natives to be sure
Perhaps Véro will tell us if she finds Je prends to be rude?
Also I think the basic present tense in French has uses that it does not have in English. Often the instructions for various process have headings such as “Je valide ma commande”, “Je retire mon colis” etc. I do not think it would be said like that in English.
I spent a fair bit of time with an American when I lived in Germany. He just couldn’t understand why the Germans found his, I want impolite. Despite being reminded time and time again that I would like was the better option he seemed to be on a crusade to convince tens of millions of Germans that he was right and they needed to change.
@Tonytrain - other thoughts. Are you going to be travelling around? If so, it’s not so much what you say it’s understanding the reply (how good is your understanding?).
droit and droite can be a minefield - listen for the total construction not just the word:
Tout droit, means carry straight on
Tourner à droite means turn right. Droite listen for the emphasis on the TE
I’ve found over the years the best thing I can do is let people repeat themselves, so if I don’t catch something the first time when they repeat it I hear more.
Round here they tend not to say “lentement” for slowly, but “doucement” (literally, softly) - worth trying if someone is speaking too fast.
You’ll hear “pardon” or “excusez-moi” a lot. If you move in front of someone in the supermarket, or if someone opens a door for you to go ahead - as you move say “pardon”. Excusez-moi is good for the “near misses” - the reply quite often is “allez-y” - ie they are letting you through.
If someone says “merci” you will very often hear a reply: (in English, a pleasure, or not at all)
The most polite reply is “je vous en prie”, alternatively “de rien” is a nice quick way of saying “not at all”.
I do that one. I also try to bring a bit of lightness/humour/confusion to the piece by using "suave, suave … " in my best faux italiano or mixing things up with “momentito - dit encore s.v.p”
Or indeed ramalamadingdong.
I liked singing along to Bobby Vee’s Rubber Ball, “bouncy bouncy, bouncy bouncy”.
They don’t write them like that any more, more is the pity.
Back to the Bonjour, you know you have reached acceptance when a lady that you see in the street fairly often but don’t know well enough to use her prenom, says in answer to your ‘Bonjour Madame’, ‘Non, pas Madame, Therese.’
Other French names are available of course, but just make sure you remember which is which.
You need to communicate in French. You work out what to say in as simple terms as possible. You check and double check using Google translate and any other software. You practise your pronunciation and commit your text to memory. You rehearse your little speech when driving to the location and again walking from the car to the place. You are confronted by a French person and you unleash your little speech before you can forget a single syllable and they reply …
