[General] May I have a cup of boiling water?

[Silverobama]

I was in a shop and I needed some very hot water to dissolve my self-prepared coffee powder. So I asked the waiter "May I have a cup of boiling water?"

Is my italic sentence natural?

 

[teechar]

The whole thing doesn't make sense. What kind of shop were you in?

 

[Silverobama]

The whole thing doesn't make sense. What kind of shop were you in?

I was in the McDonald's and the word is too long to type. My bad. Hmm, if I want to get a cup of very hot water, is it idiomatic to say "May I have a cup of boiling water?"

Forget about the instant coffee thing. I think it's better to ask "Please give me a cup of boiling water". Is the new italic sentence good?

 

[teechar]

I was in [STRIKE]the[/STRIKE] McDonald's

I think it's better to ask "Please give me a cup of boiling water". Is the new italic sentence good?

No. Say: "Can I get some hot water please?"

 

[emsr2d2]

Waiters don't work in shops. They work in cafés, restaurants and similar. I don't think the people who work in McDonald's are called waiters. Generally, waiters provide table service. At McDonald's (as I understand it), the staff work behind the counter and you go up to the counter to order.

I assume McDonald's sell their own coffee. I can't imagine the server was particularly impressed with your asking for free water and then making your own coffee. Most food and drink service establishments would not let you do that.

 

[GoesStation]

They can't bring you a cup of boiling water. Water stops boiling as soon as it's poured into a cup. Ask for very hot water.

When you order tea, American restaurants usually bring you water at 80° C or less, often in a metal pitcher with a lid that looks like it's designed to cool the water as quickly as possible.

 

[Rover_KE]

If all you asked for in a restaurant was a cup of hot water to make your own coffee, they'd think it was a cheeky request and would probably refuse to serve you or charge you 50c for it.

They'd probably let you have one free if you first ordered something to eat or bought something to go (to take out).

 

[Tdol]

Regardless of any charge, it's still hot water rather than boiling water because it will be still when they serve it.

 

[Rover_KE]

No. Say: "Can I get some hot water please?

In British English, say 'Can I have some hot water, please?'

 

[Tdol]

And don't expect them to be delighted about this "sale".