In this context, “CAN I help you” is also correct. Cooper has no way of knowing if he is able to assist the customer. In any case, the customer was being a douche.
The “Can or May?” debate not withstanding, one thing no salesperson should ever do is frame a question a prospective customer can answer with a simple “no”. This also enables the customer to summarily dismiss and shoo away the floor walker.
“What may I help you with?” works better for everyone, no matter how cynical the outlook may be for salesperson or customer.
I had a teacher who used to reply “I don’t know, can you?” when we’d ask “Can I…?” It never stopped us from asking “Can I…?” no matter how many times he said “I don’t know, can you?” So the lesson he was trying to teach never caught on. People simply don’t say “May I?” anymore.
In this context, “CAN I help you” is also correct. Cooper has no way of knowing if he is able to assist the customer. In any case, the customer was being a douche.
The “Can or May?” debate not withstanding, one thing no salesperson should ever do is frame a question a prospective customer can answer with a simple “no”. This also enables the customer to summarily dismiss and shoo away the floor walker.
“What may I help you with?” works better for everyone, no matter how cynical the outlook may be for salesperson or customer.
I had a teacher who used to reply “I don’t know, can you?” when we’d ask “Can I…?” It never stopped us from asking “Can I…?” no matter how many times he said “I don’t know, can you?” So the lesson he was trying to teach never caught on. People simply don’t say “May I?” anymore.
Cooper wisely does not give his name.