Key phrases in Barcelona restaurants.

I think you're getting too worried about this. You're a tourist. They know that (really, no matter how well-intentioned you are, and no matter how hard you study, you're not going to fool anyone). While it's kind of sweet that you care enough to try and learn to speak the local lingo, I think learning the basics in Spanish ("Castellano", as nancy says) would be a better, ore practical investment of your time. If you're feeling more ambitious, then a few of the basics (hello, please, thank you, etc.) would be sufficient. Beyond that...I'd focus on Spanish (unless you already speak Spanish very fluently).

Most of the staff you'll be dealing with as tourists will speak English, and in those occasional times when their English is not great, Spanish would make a better common language.

Just my 2 pesetas.

I'm not worried about coming off as pure tourist. The camera and the dorky hat take care of that at first glance.

But I'm really a "When in Rome" kind of traveller when it comes to casual spoken interface.

I'm from San Diego, so somehow I don't think, "Andele pues, Cabron. Que onda?" is gonna cut it in Barcelona.

I'm just looking to be a smidge more gracious with my servers. In my mind a little effort to speak a few local phrases only helps to improve the service.

A touch of quasi-literate honey is all I'm looking for here. At almost fifty, I'm way past getting by on my charming smile.

Bill,

I think your outlook is admirable and the right way to do. Consider it like going to Quebec...yes...sure, everyone knows English, but making even a tiny effort at THEIR language will be appreciated.

Catalonians know Castillian because they have to in a Castillian country. They don't do it because they like it. Any Catalonian will appreciate even the effort of a few words in Catalan.

I'd argue that if you're not going to make any attempt at Catalan, you'd might as well just stick with English. Speaking Castillian won't make you see polite, it'll just make you seem like a tourist who wants to show off but won't make the effort at THEIR language.

As for the phrases, when I visited Barcelona, I used a few Catalan phrases which always brough a smile to a cab driver or waiter's face, however I did not attempt to order in Catalan.

Bill,
Sorry, but I don't know of any good web resource for phrases. I don't like the way "Faci'm" sounds -- too much like a fairly haughty order. Porti'm or Dona'm are fine for "bring me", voldria prendre is very sophisticated, but sounds great. Sisplau (please) and gracies or merci (thank you) are important, as is "Em pot cobrar?" (check please). I agree with David that learning some Spanish (español, not castellano) will probably offer a better ROI.

Matt, update your map, Catalonia is a "Castillian country" (sic) and has been since 1710 or so. While a Catalonian will appreciate a phrase or two in Catalan, they will be equally comfortable with a tourist taking the effort to speak in their other language, Spanish.

In any event, in Barcelona, it is becoming increasingly rare to find Catalonian waitstaff, so Spanish might just be an easier way to make oneself understood.

By the by, Bill, "cabrón" is a frequently used word in Mexico, but here it is not appropiate except among friends or people who are looking for a fight.

Enjoy your trip.

My map is well up to date, but thank you.

However culture and language do not abide by political borders. Yes, politcally Catalonia is part of the State of Spain, but it is not Castillian in culture or language.

I'm surprised that with your post saying you live in Barcelona that you feel that Catalonia is a Castillian area, as this is historically and culturally incorrect. Catalonia was oppressed and controlled by Castillian Spain. Catalan was banned, and Castillian Spanish was impossed. Please do read on Franco and his opression of non-Castillian Spain.

Following the fall of Franco's government, Catalan again began being taught in schools, and Catalonia was engulfed in a wave of Catalan pride. Pride in language and culture. There are speratists just like in the Basque region (thought not as violent). Catalonia is more than just a distinct region of Spain, it is a different culture, as every self respecting Catalonian would say.

Just got back. What day is it?!?

I'll have to admit, the restaurant scene is truly dominated by Spanish speakers.

In fact, Barceloneta was filled with Spanish-only immigrants.

The only time I had a chance to try Catalunyan was buying a deodorant stick in the Ciudad Vella.

P.S. - Never tell the cab driver how much you spent on tapas at Cal Pep.

I'm also from San Diego and found the following to be all you really need:

Dos cervasas por favor (two beers please)

Donde esta los banyos (where are the bathrooms)