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Original poster

What is this need to drink water constantly? Even in 'intimate moments'?

156 replies

taratiaras · 31/07/2025 10:10

Provoked by an item in today's Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jul/31/you-be-the-judge-should-my-boyfriend-stop-drinking-from-a-water-bladder-during-sex

I was reflecting on what is this need some people have to drink water almost constantly and the whole performance of carting around containers for this water even if they will be away for a short period. Growing up in the 1980s and 90s I dont remember this at all and we largely survived!

By all means carry water when away hiking in rural areas but going to the shops, a short walk or similar there is surely no need. Even my children going to school where there are water fountains in the playground seem to feel the need to take a metal bottle with them.

As regards the Guardian question this looks a bit pathetic -at home you are never more than a two or three minute walk from the tap! I think the boyfriend clearly has too much time on his hands and a 'building fortresses' need - clearly spent too much time playing Minecraft and similar when younger?

OP posts:
SomeOfTheTrouble · 31/07/2025 18:35

anyzee · 31/07/2025 18:21

Drink all the water you want and wave your barrel (must weigh a ton) all around you, but don't aim it at me. And don't preach. I am well aware of what's good for me, but I'll decide thank you!

Anyway, my theory is, that when smoking became unfashionable and banned etc., people needed something to do with their hands, hence the water bottle, and to a lesser extent the take away coffee.

I’ve never smoked, but I do carry a water bottle with me.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 31/07/2025 18:39

CatHairEveryWhereNow · 31/07/2025 11:28

I remember a few day trip with parents in 80s where we were all desperate for drinks - remember getting horrible sweet small bottles from ice cream vans skikly sweet that didn't help. Think a few times they had thermos flask or drink bottles but not often.

My kids have bottles - cause we don't drive and this time of year walking miles you often want a drink. We did city break recently with them all now teens - everyone had a bottle with them but with the weather we were still buying additional drinks - often cold and it was a signifcant expense.

I thiunk US citziens seem to drink water excessively that seems to be a result of water industry PR and misinformation and possible a diet higher in salt sugar and addatives - and habit.

Excessive thirst can also be a sign of an underlying medical conditions - diabetes being obvious one.

I have kids who don't always get body messages - ND - so them having habit of having water bottles on hot days does seem to help them avoid dehydration and headaches as a result.

Edited

Might have something to do with the climate/temperatures there as well. I reckon that I'd need more water there as well.

Funnywonder · 31/07/2025 19:32

TonTonMacoute · 31/07/2025 18:27

DH like to sip constantly from a sports bottle. It's just an ordinary cycling bidon which seems pointless as the water gets warm and tastes of plastic.

The sucking slurping noise drives me round the fucking bend - sometimes I have to leave the room!

He can't understand why this is anti social. I have even entertain murderous fantasies to make it stop...

🤣🤣 This made me laugh way more than it should have!!

CurlewKate · 31/07/2025 20:02

SomeOfTheTrouble · 31/07/2025 17:49

From drinking water?

Show quote history

From single use plastics. From transporting and extracting mineral water.

Obviously you drink tap water from a reusable
bottle. So do I. Many, many people
don’t.

Lemniscate8 · 31/07/2025 20:10

ehb102 · 31/07/2025 14:51

Also on Mumsnet "Why won't elderly people drink enough?" Probably because they don't have the habit of drinking all the time.

Research Vs research Vs research. What about autonomy and letting people decide?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17741653

If schools have a problem with water being a disruption maybe they need to stop being so Victorian and accommodate drinking. My kid spent a month in classrooms.over 25 degrees C. Behaviour has to change to cope with changing environments.

In what way do you think schools dont accommodate drinking? It is accommodating it that is causing all the disruption.

This research you have posted doesn't in any way support the theory that drinking water improves exam results, that is just the headline, not the actual content

CatCollector · 31/07/2025 20:14

UrbanOasis · 31/07/2025 18:35

And for the overwhelming majority, dehydration is simply not a risk in our temperate islands. We get loads of fluid in our food. And a modest amount of water, tea, coffee, juice or whatever will do the job. But look, as you say, it's up to folks what they want to do. I just won't agree that's it's necessary, as opposed to something harmless that they just want to do.

Show quote history

Its 20-30% from food, hardly loads

It might not be necessary for you but for me it is.
I get headaches if I don't drink enough
Hypotension which means I get dizzy
I have a joint problem which is massively impacted if I don't drink enough
Someone else might get utis

Someone might be mildly dehydrated and it just show up as headaches or another mild symptom that impacts them
Severe dehydration is an issue in the elderly-I work with them and its a huge issue.
You can say it's not necessary but generally adults can decide for themselves how much they need to drink without your input !

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