>>Back in the early 90s I couldn't make myself understood in Boston bars if I said, "Could I have a beer, please?".
>>
>>Eventually I realised I'd have to say "Can I get a beerrrrrrrr?" in order to get served.
>>
>>Recently, since I've been going to a local sandwich shop near work, I've noticed more and more Brits saying, "Can I get ..." (of course, often without the "please" on the end). This is coupled with a recent survey I heard that fewer and fewer (or "less and less" as even the newsreaders are saying) British people are bothering to say "please" nowadays.
>>
>>BTW The dialogue of serving staff in the UK has changed over the last several years from the British, "Who's next please?" to the US "Can I help?".
>>Generally I don't need any help in a shop - just need someone to serve me.
>>
>>OK USA - we surrender.
>
>Next thing you will hear "sure" or "yeap" instead of "you are welcome". Yeap to American English {g}.

The phrase is not "Can I help?". It is "May I help you" and is pronounced, "Melpya?" :))