May I?

You can use it as a full sentence or start a question with it. If you see an empty chair, point to it and ask, May I? If you want to ask a question in a meeting, say, May I ask a question? It is very flexible. You can use it when reaching for something or entering a room. It is like a verbal 'knock' on the door of someone's attention.

Use it in formal or semi-formal settings. It works beautifully at a nice restaurant when the waiter is nearby. Use it at work when you want to interrupt a busy boss. Use it at a friend's house if you are meeting their parents for the first time. It makes you look very well-mannered. It is perfect for when you want to be extra careful not to offend anyone.

Do not use it with your best friends while playing video games. It will sound like you are joking or being sarcastic. Avoid it in high-stress, fast-paced environments like a professional kitchen. If you are shouting for help, do not use May I?—it is too slow! Also, do not use it if you already have the right to do something. It can sound a bit too submissive if used constantly for every tiny action.

In English-speaking cultures, especially the UK and US, teachers used to be very strict about this. If a student asked, Can I go to the bathroom?, the teacher would joke, I don't know, can you? This was to teach that can is about ability, but may is about permission. Today, it is less strict, but using May I? still signals that you have great social awareness and 'class.'

You will often hear May I please? to be even more polite. In very formal settings, people might say If I may? before offering an opinion. If you want to be more casual but still polite, you might switch to Could I? or Is it okay if I...? But for a quick, elegant check-in, nothing beats the classic May I?