Learn English – “Thank God” vs “Thanks God”

MT_Head's answer is spot on — saying "I'm full" isn't rude.

I don't think there is another single word that is similarly polite and well-understood.

If you want to avoid saying "I'm full", you could say things like, "I've had plenty," or "I've had too much already."

Host: "Would you like any more?"

Guest: "Oh, no thank you, I've had plenty. This was all wonderful, thank you."

Or...

Host: "Do you care for seconds?"

Guest: (leaning back) "Oh, no I can't, I've had too much already. Thank you, it was delicious!"

Or...

Host: "Please help yourself, there's plenty more."

Guest: "Oh, no, don't tempt me!" ( in a joking / laughing manner ) "No, I better not, thank you. This was all fantastic!"

All of these are ways to avoid saying "I'm full" which would sound natural. However, be prepared that "I'm full" is probably the keyword your host is looking for, so if they insist...

Host: "Are you sure? There's more dessert!"

Guest: "No, no I really can't. I'm perfectly satisfied right now, if I ate any more it would be too much."

In this way you can imply to your American host that you are not turning down the food because it isn't good, but because you really have eaten all you would like to eat — or even a few bites too much.

Really I think what this (sadly) reflects is that we Americans are prone to eating too much food when we really like it, so if you don't seem to have eaten "a little too much" your host may wonder if the meal wasn't to your liking.

So, while you don't have to say it yourself, it's probably best to understand that this is reason people in America say "I'm full." You're indicating to the host that the food was so irresistible you already had a little bit too much, and now you really must decline (or risk being sick!).

As an American this isn't part of my culture that I'm especially proud of, but it is what it is, and it's better to understand than to remain uncomfortable with it.

I hope this helps! Good question, by the way :)

In your first example, you could very easily replace "Sure" with "Yes "and have very similar meanings. All it's trying to convey is an affirmative response, and I would not suggest that it carries and implied Please or Thank you. Think of it as short for the following:

Would you like a cup of water? - I surely would.

In your second example, the sure is definitely not trying to imply that the appreciation is expected or required. Rather it is one of several words/phrases that have come to be commonly used in reply to thanks. E.g. no problem, certainly, etc. These all have a similar usage in practice to You're welcome.

Finally, while this usage of sure is informal, it's common enough that I'd feel comfortable using it all but the most formal scenarios, with the caveat that in situations like your first example, I'd probably make it Sure, thanks since I'm being offered something.