my view: check- in or out is because you sign-in, now your are leaving the hotel, so you check out,
-guest:;
2001-6-16{194}(#103548@0)
but that is not the case in a restaurant, i say "Bill, please" because the waiter(ess) really brings the bill (and candy) if you say "check" or "hey i pay" or snap fingers, all understand.
it's not about how u think which one looks more reasonable. it's how they use it. otherwise, u won't learn native English.
-speed(如风);
2001-6-16(#103616@0)
so u imply 'bill pl' is not right enough?
-guest:;
2001-6-16(#103622@0)
I wouldn't say it's not RIGHT. however, native people don't use it this way.
-speed(如风);
2001-6-16(#103625@0)
sure? 100% sure?
-guest:;
2001-6-16(#103629@0)
I used to work in a Chines restraunt back in Missouri for about one year. I can't recall any american uses 'bill, please'. Or maybe too few for me to remember. anyway, using 'check please' will be much more common..:)
-speed(如风);
2001-6-16(#103634@0)
I have eaten-out around may areas in Eastern NA, there are all sorts of epithets, they are all common, just a Q, if i say "how are you today?", what is the English we learned back in cn, what is the usage here?
-guest:;
2001-6-16(#103642@0)
btw, u could also say 'could u bring me the check?'. however, if u say, 'could u bring me the bill?' it sounds awkward.
-speed(如风);
2001-6-16{209}(#103637@0)
bill is too formal to be used here. in my mind, bill usually refers to those statements that ur utitlity companies, credit card companies send to u monthly. or something like a bill from ur immigration lawyer.
They say: "Check, please." I work in restaurant.
-littleboat(小舟);
2001-6-16(#103557@0)
In an informal way, lots of people say " Can I have the ticket Please ". " Check Please" is much more heard than "Bill Please".
-wonton_soup(Wonton Soup);
2001-6-16(#103722@0)