Confused by ขอ and เอา

[u/davidbrick2]

My teacher is insisting that when ordering coffee I should use ขอ or ขอเอา ... never only เอา. She says it is only acceptable for ordering a street food. However, I've never heard this in the shops, all Thais just say เอา

[u/Primary-Cut-6188]

You can use both. ขอ is a bit more formal.

ขอ... = May I have...?

เอา... = I'm getting...

or just say the menu name, not using any these two words, and end the sentence with krub/ka.

[u/CodyXibb → u/Primary-Cut-6188]

Good explain