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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if you go out …

92 replies

6079SmithW · Yesterday 20:15

for a meal then you should be prepared to also pay for a beverage (and not just order tap water)?

OP posts:
Original poster
6079SmithW · Today 12:38

@CrystallllllI tend to order an alcoholic drink (plus water or a soft drink if I’m actually thirsty).

OP posts:
Original poster
6079SmithW · Today 12:43

@LoveItalyyou are right though that many establishments make their profit on drinks so it is good to order drinks to support local/independent businesses.
(off topic but I also love Italy 🇮🇹)

OP posts:
Savvysix1984 · Today 12:45

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.

PollyBell · Today 12:54

6079SmithW · Today 12:43

@LoveItalyyou are right though that many establishments make their profit on drinks so it is good to order drinks to support local/independent businesses.
(off topic but I also love Italy 🇮🇹)

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

OrangeBlouse · Today 12:54

LoveItaly · Today 09:51

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.

Show quote history

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.

OrangeBlouse · Today 12:56

6079SmithW · Today 12:43

@LoveItalyyou are right though that many establishments make their profit on drinks so it is good to order drinks to support local/independent businesses.
(off topic but I also love Italy 🇮🇹)

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?

NimbleTaupeTiger · Today 12:58

Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · Yesterday 20:24

I can't drink alcohol, sugar r, caffeine or rtificial sweetener

I drink a lot of water 😂

Yep, me too. I sometimes have wine (at home) and an occasional beer with lunch if we're out with friends, but definitely too much of anything and I know about it for quite a few days. I also can't eat lactose, nuts, seeds, cruciferous vegetables, etc. I eat a lot of burgers and drink a lot of water 😂

Yawningalldaylong · Today 13:04

Disagree, tap water instead of fizzy drinks can easily save £8/£10. I’m happy to make that compromise to eat out occasionally.

PammyPrang · Today 13:06

If more and more people order just tap water, I think a small cover charge would be fair to cover use of glass etc.

I used to go to a pub quiz where the same teams of people went every week. I always noticed this woman who arrived after the £1 entrance fee had been collected and then sat with tap water.

pinkizzy · Today 13:07

I know what you mean. I actually prefer tap water but will always order some apple juice or something because I thought it wasn't ok just to have tap water!

tigger1001 · Today 13:11

sometime order juice but often just have water. Not like I'm taking up a table and not ordering anything. Ordering water with food is perfectly fine.

latetothefisting · Today 17:27

when does "your friend's" snobbery end?

What about people who drink water but have dessert, are they more acceptable than someone who orders a coke but only has one course? They'll spend more.

RebeccaRedhat · Today 17:52

My daughter doesn't drink fizzy pop at all, occasionally she might a fruit juice or squash but she does drink alot of water. She's nearly 17.

Askingforafriendtoday · Today 18:34

Catza · Yesterday 20:23

My boyfriend doesn't drink anything but tap water. And it has to be plain as shit with not a hint of lemon or ice. Drives me nuts too but what is he supposed to do?
And why does it matter to you specifically? It's a bit like saying that you should only go out if you are having a three course meal. None of this just a main and a desert business!

Plain water is my drink of choice, hate all those sugary, caffeinated, calorific drinks. Usually driving, YABVU

amylou8 · Today 18:40

Apart from a coffee when I get up I only drink water. Although I'm also not keen on tap water so I'd order bottled. But absolutely nothing wrong with ordering tap water with a meal.

eighteenpercent · Today 18:41

You'd be amazed how many places don't offer any still non alcoholic beverages other than bottled water. I don't drink alcohol and don't particularly like fizzy, so if no fresh juice is available I just ask for tap water. I think bottled water is so bad for the environment in comparison to tap water, and I have zero preference in taste.

JeatherLacket · Today 18:44

6079SmithW · Today 12:37

Wow! I wasn’t expecting so many replies. It seems like I am being unreasonable so I’ll own that.
For context it was just a conversation I was having with a friend. He always jokes about people who just order tap water as being cheap, so we agreed to put it to this vote.

Is your friend a bit thick? Why does he care if people order what they want to order?

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