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I never got why people are so into free tap water everywhere. Who goes into a restaurant, does not order anything, and asks for free ice water? If I'm a resta

I never got why people are so into free tap water everywhere. Who goes into a restaurant, does not order anything, and asks for free ice water? If I'm a restaurant owner and someone is taking up a seat while drinking free tap water, of course I'm not going to like that.

scrollaway 7y ago
"Taking up a seat without ordering" is frowned upon. It's okay to dislike that as a restaurant owner. It's universally disliked, and barring exceptional circumstances, it's not a cool thing to do. That is what the problematic behaviour with your described case is. "Free tap water", however, absolutely should be the standard. In Belgium, you will generally be refused tap water even if you're a paying customer with a 100 EUR bill. Whereas in France, it's illegal to refuse serving tap water… think about that. If you're not allowed to drink tap water, you'll be drinking bottled water which creates plastic/glass waste and promotes a business that essentially repackages tap water.
- charlesdm 7y ago
  I'm Belgian so I'm aware we don't really drink tap water. However, to say that tap water tastes exactly the same as bottled water is also a bit ridiculous in my mind. At the end of the day I guess it comes down to preference. Perhaps a silly question, but why do you go for tap water? Just because of the waste issue? And a second question, why would tap water have to be free and would you pay for it? PS: Cool business! Are you in Belgium?
  - scrollaway 7y ago
    > why do you go for tap water? It's wasteful not to. I wouldn't say it tastes the same, but even though the water where I live is very chalky, I'm personally fine with it. > why would tap water have to be free Because it's virtually free to the restaurant. Having it free also promotes the healthy habit of drinking water instead of other drinks: When thirsty, if tap water is not an option, many people will choose soda over water… if you're paying for it anyway. > would you pay for it? If it's water I want, I'd rather pay for tap water than pay for bottled water, simply on the ethics of it. But I would find it absurd and disgraceful to charge for tap water. Remember, this is a custom that is standard in many countries. > Are you in Belgium? Brussels. Sablon to be specific :)
  - throw0101a 7y ago
    > Perhaps a silly question, but why do you go for tap water? 60% of the human body is made up of water (some parts more, some less): * https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/scie... Now there are certainly other beverages available, but at a restaurant the options are usually alcoholic or sugary. And if you're not into alcoholic drinks (lifestyle, health, or you are driving), and do not want to ruin your health with sugary drinks (pop/soda), what are the alternatives if you want something with your meal? Yes, you can pay several dollars/euros for bottled water, but given that it is H2O, I'm not sure what value you're getting. Bubbles? At some Asian restaurants they give you complementary (green) tea, which I like, but I still often ask for a glass of water. After my meal I'm fine with getting a tea or coffee, but my friends and I usually do that at another place and not at the restaurant. (I'm also not much of a beer or wine person, so if I order a vodka or whisky with my meal I get strange looks.)
graeme 7y ago
>If I'm a restaurant owner and someone is taking up a seat while drinking free tap water, of course I'm not going to like that. Not how it works. You get free tap water with your order. So no need to use up a plastic bottle. In extremis you can sometimes walk in if a restaurant isn't busy, ask for a glass of water, drink it while standing, and leave immediately. You would never sit in such a circumstance
- charlesdm 7y ago
  > In extremis you can sometimes walk in if a restaurant isn't busy, ask for a glass of water, drink it while standing, and leave immediately. You would never sit in such a circumstance Perhaps I'm not used to it, but that sounds extremely silly and rude to me?
  - graeme 7y ago
    Like I said, in extremis. The same way you might ask to use a bathroom at a business you were not a customer at, or to borrow something from a stranger to solve a clear temporary need. The sort of request that is granted with a smile if asked politely, and denied if asked rudely, basically. Part of the general fabric of society. You would only ask if you'd been out a while on a hot day and were parched, or something similar. There's surely some social analogue not involving water where you live?
    - mrhappyunhappy 7y ago
      Lack of public bathrooms is a real shame and a failure in planning. It is a universal human right to access a bathroom in public places, or else be okay with people pissing and shitting wherever. I think the same should apply to water access. If no public access to water, businesses should carry that “burden”.
mrep 7y ago
> Who goes into a restaurant, does not order anything, and asks for free ice water? Never done that nor heard of anyone ever doing that. I've always ordered food/drinks and tipped at restaurants where I've gotten free water which is everywhere. The no pay example I cited is Starbucks which is an order and pick up coffee shop. I actually pulled out my wallet ready to pay for the cup of water but they were nice enough to give it to me for free which is probably a good idea in hindsight considering mint says I've spent $1200 there over the past 4 years and I appreciated that.
- scrollaway 7y ago
  Starbucks is the only restaurant I've seen here in Belgium that will systematically give you tap water on request, no questions asked. They usually throw in some ice for you as well. I'm guessing they train their employees on that, because it's actually very non-standard behaviour over here. Just the fact they do that makes me want to go there more often.
  - Scoundreller 7y ago
    It’s not really charity, it’s a part of their business model. Same for bathrooms. And Starbucks stock has never been higher.
  - StavrosK 7y ago
    I've never tried to go into a restaurant (or anywhere) and just ask for a glass of water, but I can't imagine anyone refusing one, even if you don't order anything. It's just basic courtesy. Is that not what happens in other countries?

scrollaway 7y ago

"Taking up a seat without ordering" is frowned upon. It's okay to dislike that as a restaurant owner. It's universally disliked, and barring exceptional circumstances, it's not a cool thing to do. That is what the problematic behaviour with your described case is. "Free tap water", however, absolutely should be the standard. In Belgium, you will generally be refused tap water even if you're a paying customer with a 100 EUR bill. Whereas in France, it's illegal to refuse serving tap water… think about that. If you're not allowed to drink tap water, you'll be drinking bottled water which creates plastic/glass waste and promotes a business that essentially repackages tap water.

charlesdm 7y ago
I'm Belgian so I'm aware we don't really drink tap water. However, to say that tap water tastes exactly the same as bottled water is also a bit ridiculous in my mind. At the end of the day I guess it comes down to preference. Perhaps a silly question, but why do you go for tap water? Just because of the waste issue? And a second question, why would tap water have to be free and would you pay for it? PS: Cool business! Are you in Belgium?
- scrollaway 7y ago
  > why do you go for tap water? It's wasteful not to. I wouldn't say it tastes the same, but even though the water where I live is very chalky, I'm personally fine with it. > why would tap water have to be free Because it's virtually free to the restaurant. Having it free also promotes the healthy habit of drinking water instead of other drinks: When thirsty, if tap water is not an option, many people will choose soda over water… if you're paying for it anyway. > would you pay for it? If it's water I want, I'd rather pay for tap water than pay for bottled water, simply on the ethics of it. But I would find it absurd and disgraceful to charge for tap water. Remember, this is a custom that is standard in many countries. > Are you in Belgium? Brussels. Sablon to be specific :)
- throw0101a 7y ago
  > Perhaps a silly question, but why do you go for tap water? 60% of the human body is made up of water (some parts more, some less): * https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/scie... Now there are certainly other beverages available, but at a restaurant the options are usually alcoholic or sugary. And if you're not into alcoholic drinks (lifestyle, health, or you are driving), and do not want to ruin your health with sugary drinks (pop/soda), what are the alternatives if you want something with your meal? Yes, you can pay several dollars/euros for bottled water, but given that it is H2O, I'm not sure what value you're getting. Bubbles? At some Asian restaurants they give you complementary (green) tea, which I like, but I still often ask for a glass of water. After my meal I'm fine with getting a tea or coffee, but my friends and I usually do that at another place and not at the restaurant. (I'm also not much of a beer or wine person, so if I order a vodka or whisky with my meal I get strange looks.)

graeme 7y ago

>If I'm a restaurant owner and someone is taking up a seat while drinking free tap water, of course I'm not going to like that. Not how it works. You get free tap water with your order. So no need to use up a plastic bottle. In extremis you can sometimes walk in if a restaurant isn't busy, ask for a glass of water, drink it while standing, and leave immediately. You would never sit in such a circumstance

charlesdm 7y ago
> In extremis you can sometimes walk in if a restaurant isn't busy, ask for a glass of water, drink it while standing, and leave immediately. You would never sit in such a circumstance Perhaps I'm not used to it, but that sounds extremely silly and rude to me?
- graeme 7y ago
  Like I said, in extremis. The same way you might ask to use a bathroom at a business you were not a customer at, or to borrow something from a stranger to solve a clear temporary need. The sort of request that is granted with a smile if asked politely, and denied if asked rudely, basically. Part of the general fabric of society. You would only ask if you'd been out a while on a hot day and were parched, or something similar. There's surely some social analogue not involving water where you live?
  - mrhappyunhappy 7y ago
    Lack of public bathrooms is a real shame and a failure in planning. It is a universal human right to access a bathroom in public places, or else be okay with people pissing and shitting wherever. I think the same should apply to water access. If no public access to water, businesses should carry that “burden”.

mrep 7y ago

> Who goes into a restaurant, does not order anything, and asks for free ice water? Never done that nor heard of anyone ever doing that. I've always ordered food/drinks and tipped at restaurants where I've gotten free water which is everywhere. The no pay example I cited is Starbucks which is an order and pick up coffee shop. I actually pulled out my wallet ready to pay for the cup of water but they were nice enough to give it to me for free which is probably a good idea in hindsight considering mint says I've spent $1200 there over the past 4 years and I appreciated that.

scrollaway 7y ago
Starbucks is the only restaurant I've seen here in Belgium that will systematically give you tap water on request, no questions asked. They usually throw in some ice for you as well. I'm guessing they train their employees on that, because it's actually very non-standard behaviour over here. Just the fact they do that makes me want to go there more often.
- Scoundreller 7y ago
  It’s not really charity, it’s a part of their business model. Same for bathrooms. And Starbucks stock has never been higher.
- StavrosK 7y ago
  I've never tried to go into a restaurant (or anywhere) and just ask for a glass of water, but I can't imagine anyone refusing one, even if you don't order anything. It's just basic courtesy. Is that not what happens in other countries?