How could you response to a waiter's question "几位(jǐ wèi)"?

Most of us know the measure word for people is "个(gè)", for example 一个人(yí gè rén)，一个孩子(yī gè háizi). You may also know "口(kǒu)" for the sentence: 你家有几口人(nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén)？ If I ask for one more, you will probably give me "位(wèi)".

As a measure word for people, "位(wèi)" is used to express respect. One good example is when you go to restaurant, waiter usually asks "几位(jǐ wèi)？" In order to show his/her respect,  "位(wèi)" is used here. Then how do you response?  "两位(liǎng wèi)" is the most common one I hear. Unfortunately it's wrong. The correct one should be "两个(liǎng gè)". If we think about it,  "respect" is for others while "humility" is for oneself. So how could you use "位(wèi)" for yourself?  "个(gè)" is the appropriate word here.

The good news is even Chinese make that mistake often. It's so smooth to use "位(wèi)" here. So even if you did it, don't feel too bad. Just try to be right next time.

Are Chinese rude by not saying "谢谢(xièxie)" or "请(qǐng)"?

I once saw someone raised a question on Quora: Why don't Chinese people say thank you amongst friends?  Then my translator told me she couldn't directly translate：给我一双筷子(gěi wǒ yī shuāng kuàizi) into English, because it's too rude. She has to add "请(qǐng)": Please give me a pair of chopsticks. So it makes me think: Do foreigners think Chinese are rude since we don't use "谢谢(xièxie)" or "请(qǐng)" often?

When I was in America, I noticed people did use "thank you" and "please" much more often than Chinese did. For example, if a cashier gives you change, you should say "thank you"; if you ask your friend to pass you something, you should say "please". In these situations, most Chinese won't say "谢谢(xièxie)" or "请(qǐng)". But I will say it's a culture difference rather than we are rude.

In China, instead of saying "谢谢" to strangers, we probably will smile at them. We likely say "谢谢(xièxie)" when we sincerely appreciate someone. Meanwhile we prefer to use body language to strangers. I guess one reason is in Chinese culture, people are usually too shy to express oneself.

For "请(qǐng)", it's another story. Most Chinese people will feel "too polite" if you use "请(qǐng)" to someone you know, such as family, friends, coworkers. "请(qǐng)" makes others feel that they are not that close to you. It's definitely good to use "请(qǐng)" to strangers such as waiter, taxi driver or your coworker on your first day.

In a word, it is a socially acceptable behavior by not using "谢谢(xièxie)" or "请(qǐng)" in China. But I won't say you need to cut down your words. It's always nice of you to say "谢谢(xièxie)" and "请(qǐng)".