If you need someting: Essential expressions.

Normally Russian does not use complicated sentence structures like English. You can normally say exactly what you want with just a few words. For example, in English to be polite we would say something like “can you please pass me the salt”, however in Russian they would say something simpler like “give salt please”. Speaking so directly may even feel unusual for an English speaker, however it is perfectly normal, just add the word ‘please’(пожалуйста) to be polite. This makes it easy to say what you want in Russian, and it will probably be correct. Less words also makes listening to people easier, as you can just pick out the important words.

1. Кофе с молоком. (Coffee with milk)
    Счет, пожалуйста. (Bill, please)


2. Дайте + N, пожалуйста. 
(Give me N, please)
     
3. To ask less direct, you can use neutral
Можно ... + N? (Can  ... )
Можно кофе/чай?
(Can I have a cup of coffee/tea?)
Можно счёт (bill)?
(Could you bring me a bill?)

4. If you want to ask someone if they have something, you can use the following phrase. (Just learn the whole phrase, it is gramatically unusual).
У вас есть ... + N? (Do you have?)

5. In case you need help from the staff  you can use phrase "I need". You can use it when you are looking for something in a shop, buying food, clothes, medicine, even asking directions. But be careful with gender and number agreement.
Мне нужен + N(m)
         нужна + N(f)
         нужно + N (n)
         нужны + N (pl)

Practice:

In the café:

Tell to the waiter that you want:

кофе (эспрессо, капуччино, с молоком), чай (черный, зеленый), кока-кола, вода, пиво, вино, сок.

Ask for:
сахар, соль, перец, ложка, вилка, нож 


In the shop

Tell to the shop assistant that  you need:

Картошка, огурцы, помидоры, макароны, рыба, молоко, сыр, апельсины, лимоны, грибы;

Юбка, блузка, футболка, брюки, платье, пальто, сапоги, туфли;

Тетрадь(f), маркер, ручка, карандаши, словарь, бумага, диски;