may

I was sure that modal verb 'may' is used for asking permission. I am reading now - 'spoken' (about asking permission).
Let's imagine the director needs to interrupt his two eachers' dialog.
Shoud he say 'may I interrupt you' or 'can' instead of 'may'?

He should ask if he may. By speaking up he already has shown that he can.

Many people use "can" for permission nowadays. It seems somewhat pedantic to ask the toll taker "may I have a receipt?" I say something like "Can I get a receipt?"

Let's suppose he's a very kind and considerate director. What should he say?

I already said that he should say "may."

SoothingDave said:

I say something like "Can I get a receipt?"

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Please note, towcats, that BE speakers do not use that construction.

Rover_KE said:

Please note, towcats, that BE speakers do not use that construction.

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Some do- to the annoyance of others. ;-)

Tdol said:

Some do- to the annoyance of others. ;-)

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Particularly fathers. :-(