To think that if you go out …

But they’re not OWED this.

Now that you’ve finally returned to the thread, can you tell us what it’s all about? Are you a restaurant owner who blames your customers for not spending enough, rather than looking at how you’re running the place? Or are you just one of these people who enjoys mentally spending other people’s money for them?

I think they’re even less likely to survive if they get a reputation for sneering at customers who only order water…

I remember someone in a bar once making a comment about how maybe I’d order more than one drink next time I went there - when they’d had a two for one deal on, presumably to encourage people to go 🙄 There was no next time!

The laptop thing is a different issue, and I know a lot of cafes have a minimum charge to prevent this.

But why can't you understand some people only drink water?

If I’m not having alcohol I’ll order tap water though most places I go give us a jug anyway. I don’t like soft drinks.

No, it’s absolutely fine. We’ve started doing this more as it makes our money stretch further. If you’re not that bothered and are only having a soft drink, it can save you nearly a tenner for two of you, which can go towards another meal. Soft drinks are so expensive now. If they were only £2-3 or so I’d be more tempted but at many places now it’s £4 plus for one. That’s a lot of extra money on just two soft drinks especially if you have a set budget and aren’t that bothered about having one, if it’s just the meal you want.

I often only drink water (preferably sparkling but sometimes there’s only tap) with meals out. I also often have a glass or 2 of wine with a meal. I am not a beer drinker, would rarely have a cocktail, would prefer water to a soft drink a lot of the time. It would happily have G&T pre-dinner or liqueur after dinner. It all depends.

Sometimes I am on meds so no alcohol. Sometimes I am driving. Sometimes I’ve had a heavy period leading up to this meal but still want to meet friends/family etc.

And if I drink or don’t drink has no impact on whether others want to drink or not. I just quietly order what I WANT, but not ostentatiously “oh only water for me thanks” chirruping loudly type ordering, IYKWIM.

Most of them aren't going to survive, there are 8 cafes (none of them chains) in less than a mile from my house. None are open early enough to catch tradies/commuters wanting a coffee and a bacon roll, and they're all clearing up or shut before the schools kick out, so tea and a slice of cake after a walk is out of the question. In larger towns it's soon going to be the case that the only customers in cafes are the staff from other cafes having a break.

If im the designated driver i do this. I dont like fizzy drinks or drinks with artificial sweetener. I do like water.

So do you order more food than you want/need then in order to help them survive?

Well I want these places to survive, it’s not easy making a profit with food, heating, labour, rent etc costs so high. I also object to people hogging tables in cafes whilst working on laptops, having one drink over several hours.

But by that way of thinking, you should order a few extra sides of food on the menu, whether you want them or not, purely to help the restaurant out

Why is it a drink that has to be paid for when its not wanted or needed?

I live in the States where tap water is brought to the table automatically. I usually stick with just that but may order a coffee depending on the time of day. I gave up fizzy drinks years ago and am not much of a drinker so tap water is my usual drink. No one has ever pressured me to buy a drink here and just having free tap water is fine.

However, in the UK I do feel a bit of pressure to order a drink and feel weird asking for tap water, like I’m some sort of cheapskate. You hear a lot about how businesses are struggling and drinks are an easier way for cafes and restaurants to make money. No idea if this is actually true.

It’s rare for DH to order a drink apart from water. It’s not a budgetary concern, that is just what he prefers to have.

Same we may order a coffee in the morning but we all just drink water with meals no matter where we are why would we have to buy a drink when water is mainly all we drink?

YABU. I love a drink, and enjoy a wine or three but can understand that not everyone likes other drinks and prefers water.
My adult DC only drinks water when out. It's all he's ever liked to drink, he doesn't like anything else. Complete water fiend 😁
Why should he have to drink something else, if he's having a meal out?

Why? I work in a restaurant, our mark up on food and drinks isn't much different, we dont care if people drink or not.
If im with friends they can have water, l wouldn't be even notice, l often have water or soda water.

Cooncil juice hen.. get it right! 🤣.

Are you asking because you feel or know these restaurants are not making enough profit to stay in business from covers that don’t include drinks?
I mean we already have these random service charges 12.5%, 17% etc added to the bill without prior notice. What else are we supposed to do?
Restaurants and pubs and coffee shops are under enormous pressure, I totally agree. But so are we, the majority of us. A lot of people have drastically reduced the number of times they eat out and quantity of food they order. A lot of us will simply stop eating out , maybe keep it to once or twice a year at the most for very special occasions, if they can afford it.
Times are tough for everyone.

I kind of agree with you. I have never been to a restaurant that brings Tap water to the table without asking so surprised by PP saying thats something restaurants do as standard as never experienced that.

I agree with you. I always order a drink plus tap water, or bottled water if I don’t want anything else, as I know many restaurants and cafes are struggling and need to make profit on drinks as well as food.

seriously who has nothing better going on in their lives than to give a shit about what drinks other people are ordering. who cares? how does it impact you in the slightest?

Yabu. Why do you think this?

Why should someone pay for a drink they don't want if they are happy with tap water?

Thats like saying "when you go for a meal, you should order starter , instead of only buying and paying for a main"

Its just daft