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Original poster

Would you ask for more hot water in a cafe?

17 replies

EachandEveryone · 26/08/2019 10:51

A really busy cafe that I was in yesterday. We ordered 8 big breakfast as well as drinks etc. Two relatives who are canny with money had already a pot of tea each. I went to the counter to order another coffee and they asked me to order some hot water as well. It’s something I wouldn’t do but if I am in Morrissons cafe where it’s a vessel yes, I would automatically do it if I had too. Anyway the person at the counter asked why and I said well one lot will do it’s for my friend if that’s alright and she said she wanted to know why they wanted it as usually people who ask for hot water are normally dodging buying more tea🤨 I was horrified and said I don’t know I only drink coffee!!!

So, who was right? And what if they were really strong tea bags?

OP posts:
Nacreous · 26/08/2019 10:54

I would expect to be able to order more hot water and do ask to have the teapot topped up, but usually only when they use tea leaves as you don't tend to get a decent second brew from tea bags. My Mum always presented this as totally normal and indeed at some nice tea rooms they will offer so it's never occurred to me that it was bad form, more just getting best use out of the tea leaves! Maybe it is though!

PalindromicUser · 26/08/2019 10:56

It’s pretty common to be brought a second pot of hot water at older style places - eg a National Trust tearoom. It’s really only since coffee shops such as Starbucks became the norm that this has stopped.

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 26/08/2019 10:56

I'd have no problem with asking for more hot water. I take my tea very weak and I find that tea is quite often made first and left stewing while coffee orders are being processed if in the same order. Why would I pay for something I don't like due to somebody else's convenience? Confused
I wouldn't be nasty or rude about it. I wouldn't require a full pot of water either though!

mrssoap · 26/08/2019 10:57

You should definitely be able to have more hot water. Absolutely.

BitchyArriver · 26/08/2019 10:59

I can’t believe they questioned you on it. I would have offered a top up.

lanbro · 26/08/2019 11:00

I don't mind people asking in my coffee shop, however I did put a stop to the women who were coming in, buying one mug of tea, asking for a free mug of hot water and sharing the teabag! My tea is only £1.50 so hardly extortionate!

LiveInAHidingPlace · 26/08/2019 11:01

I wouldn't think twice about it and I'm not usually the person who asks for much.

It's not costing them anything after all. Fair enough if you sat drinking pot after pot for hours but one top up is totally fine.

ChipInTheSugar · 26/08/2019 11:03

I drink hot water and always feel weird asking for it in cafes in case they thinking I'm sneaking a teabag in it!

Fudgenugget · 26/08/2019 11:10

I used to ask for it in cafes, usually given with no problem.

When DD was a baby, I was once refused hot water in a caff in a London Royal Park to warm her bottle due to health and safety reasons. I said, how can I feed my child. Shrug. Angry I flounced so far away from that place you could see smoke coming from the buggy wheels.

Firecarrier · 26/08/2019 11:15

I always ask for extra hot water as I like it very very weak (and black) the plus side is I end up with lots of cups. The server was rude. If the milk comes in a jug I tell them I don't need it (unless I have a little one with me in which case I let them drink it Grin)

mimiasovitch · 26/08/2019 11:15

We always give people extra if they want, but I ask why, as if it's for tea I put it in a pot, and in a ceramic jug if someone wants to water down their coffee. Never any problem giving it, thoughI was most put out at the women having hot water and lemon for free, but then deciding, after getting their drinks, against ordering food.

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 26/08/2019 11:20

Well it was a massive food order and they knew there was a group of 8 of us. I was embarrassed and the funny thing is, I knew it was coming.

OP posts:
AlexandPea · 26/08/2019 11:28

Definitely I would. I like weak tea anyway so normally ask for it as a matter of course.

LifeOfBox · 26/08/2019 11:28

Yes, always. In fact we were in a hotel for lunch in the freezing cold recently and DD finished her hot chocolate fairly quickly - I asked for an extra cup for her to haves one of my tea. Later on we had another pot of hot water.

lanbro · 27/08/2019 20:23

Not costing anything?! It might only be a small amount but it certainly does cost...the cost of running the tap, electricity to heat it up, washing the cup/pot afterwards, how strange to think hot water is completely freeConfused

Sparklingbrook · 27/08/2019 20:26

I also think it might be because they think you are bringing your own tea bags.

Dieu · 27/08/2019 21:41

I asked for this in the M&S cafe, and they were very gracious and lovely about it.

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