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> In some breweries and countries, the beer mat placed on the glass signals to the waiter that the guest does not want to drink any more beer. Interesting. I’v
by al_borland 4mo ago
> In some breweries and countries, the beer mat placed on the glass signals to the waiter that the guest does not want to drink any more beer.
Interesting. I’ve always seen this as a signal that a person was stepping away, but coming back. The person would cover it while going to the bathroom, in part so it isn’t as trivial for someone to slip something in their drink. Implying that they intend to keep drinking it once they return.
I’d be interested to know where it means that the guest doesn’t want any more beer.
- gnatolf 4mo agoAll over Germany, and it's been around much much longer than the fear of having something slipped in your drink.
- culturestate 4mo agoTo be fair, in the summer you need to make sure the wasps don’t slip themselves into your drink.
- ricardobayes 4mo agoYes, I believe it stems from the tankards having lids back in the day, which is due to the belief that plague-ridden flies could fly into your beer, and also against "night air". Interestingly some Germans still believe "moving air" (well, draft) is unhealthy, especially from an AC, and the cold air is what makes you sick. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miasma_theory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miasma_theory
- dismalaf 4mo agoIt's useless for preventing someone from slipping a pill into the drink. Works for preventing insects from flying in when sitting outside though.
- fhars 4mo agoI have always seen this a a signal that the drinker doesn't want drowned wasps in their beer.
- jyounker 4mo agoThe wasps drown. The hornets just drop in for a sip, and then fly off.
- shellfishgene 4mo agoIn traditional Cologne brewery bars where they serve the local light beer (in small glasses of 200 ml) the waiter replaces empty glasses with full ones without asking. Unless you put the coaster on top. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6lsch_(beer)#Serving https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6lsch_(beer)#Serving