Well, I can only speak for Denmark, but here you are obliged by law to give water to anyone who asks. At certain restaurants though (the Louisiana museum for in

Well, I can only speak for Denmark, but here you are obliged by law to give water to anyone who asks. At certain restaurants though (the Louisiana museum for instance), the waiter will sometimes politely refer you to the bathroom if you ask for (free) tap water (hinting you should buy it from the restaurant). Reason being most restaurants earn their money from beverages (especially wine).