souhaitez vs souhaiteraiez

Question

Je suis un peu perdu. Pourquoi la texte utilise 'souhaitez' et pas 'souhaiteriez'? J'ai vu que cette texte traduire comme 'What time would you like this call?'

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Meghna,
You are correct that we could use the conditional 'souhaiteriez' for the polite form of 'would you like,' but often in French, the present tense is used, as with the verbs 'vouloir' or 'désirer'.
I am not sure why this is but assume that 'souhaiteriez' or désireriez' sound quite high falutin and with usage the present appears more natural.
The receptionist could have said even more simply -
À quelle heure voulez-vous cet appel ?
Other examples might be -

Je vous en prie, voulez-vous vous asseoir ? = Please, would like to sit down?
Désirez-vous un dessert ? = Would you like a dessert?
Voulez-vous un café ? = Would you like a coffee?

Hope this helps!