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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to feel miserly for asking for rap water in restaurants?

80 replies

ChaosTrulyReigns · 28/07/2011 21:57

I actually like water.

Shock

And, yes, there is a pecuniary reason too - when we all go out drinks can easily add an extra £large to the bill, I'd rather have something I enjoy for free and let the Chaotic4 have paid for drinks.

Smile

But I feel judged by waiting staff for ordering tap water.

Is my sense of entitlement too inflated to think I should be able to order a legimate drink without being given TheSneer?

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 29/07/2011 08:44

All my poshest friends order tap water.

I think I get at sneered by waiting staff for asking what type of sparkling water is on the menu.

worldgonecrazy · 29/07/2011 08:47

I've been to lots of 'posh' restaurants and we always ask for a jug of tap water with our meal, usually in response to the "still or sparkling" question. I'm fairly certain we've never been sneered at by any waiter or sommellier either. It's nothing to do with being tight as £4 or £5 for water isn't a huge percentage of the total bill at some of the more expensive restaurants.

coastgirl · 29/07/2011 08:51

I have been judging pubs by the quality of their water provision since I've been pregnant. I've been watching my caffeine, so no Coke, and don't like drinks that might have sweeteners in, so no squash or lemonade, and citrus drinks give me heartburn, so no orange juice, which leaves me with water. And to be honest, if I'm with three other people ordering pints of beer and glasses of wine, I don't think it would kill a pub to give me a decent-sized glass of water with ice. Usually I get a little tiny tumbler of lukewarm water, like they're punishing me for not drinking something expensive. Charge 20p if you need to, but give me a decent glass of water! I miss the HUGE glasses of ice water you get in the States as standard.

MrsChemist · 29/07/2011 08:55

Actually, when I worked in a pub, I'd get tap water rage when we were really busy. Some people would come in, pay for nothing, and then take up prime seats, while paying customers had to stand (this was mostly during big football matches, which cost the pub a fortune in sky subscriptions)

They'd be told to buy something or leave. A glass of cordial was 50p, so it's not like they had to spend a great deal.

nojustificationneeded · 29/07/2011 08:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 29/07/2011 08:58

I don't like soft drinks and don't drink alchol so have coffee when I go out to restaurants and I always order a glass of tap water with it. It's common all over Europe and if you order coffee they generally just bring you the glass of water because coffee is dehydrating.

I too gauge my tipping on the service of tap water requests... any sneering gets nothing. I've found that most restaurants (not pubs, can't comment on those) deliver tap water in a pitcher with ice and lemon... lovely. :)

khaliwali · 29/07/2011 09:02

No problem with asking for tap water, or for trying to save money but if I worked there and you started to lecture me about carbon miles I would probably add a little something to your tap water.

PuppyMonkey · 29/07/2011 09:03

If a venue refused to give me tap water, I'd leave and never go back, whereas if they happily provided it I'd go there next time too. Only 1.10 for a bottle? Hmm

ginmakesitallok · 29/07/2011 09:04

Reminds me of DMIL who doesn't drink tea or coffee - just has hot water. EVERY time we're out she'll say - "I'll just have hot water - if they do it.." Of course they bloody do it - they do tea don't they?????

khaliwali · 29/07/2011 09:05

Gordon Ramsey's Maze gives free water, unlimited in glass bottles. I think it is tap but the nice thing is that you just don''t need to enter into that whole embarrassing dance with the snotty waiter. They don't even have water on the soft drinks menu!

littleducks · 29/07/2011 09:08

Tparty- you can put 'mere' all you want, £1.10 is still a rip off, I am in London and can pick up a bottle of water for less than that in a cafe (though I always buy coffee never water) and I have Costco membership so I know how much it costs wholesale, thats quite a mark up

dreamingbohemian · 29/07/2011 09:09

Oh I think ordering tap water in pubs is a bit different, especially during matches.

Tparty, that's not a very proactive approach to running a business. It doesn't actually cost you anything to provide tap water and as it's a nice gesture it may get you some new, loyal customers. By refusing to provide any you would ensure that people never come back probably.

(sorry, I'm from the States, the aforementioned purveyor of lovely water everywhere Smile)

Katisha · 29/07/2011 09:12

There are plenty of people who will buy mineral water either because they think it's nicer or because of embarrassment.

I don't subscribe to either of those views and always ask for tap.

Mutt · 29/07/2011 09:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsChemist · 29/07/2011 09:30

Oh yes, pubs are a different kettle of fish to restaurants. I almost always order tap water in a restaurant. I'm buying food/dessert/coffee, so tap water isn't exactly a lot to ask.

I'm getting pickier about it. I ask for ice and lime as well Blush

CaptainNancy · 29/07/2011 09:34

Great thread Chaos! Grin

I have never been sneered at by a waiter for ordering tap water. I sometimes order bottled if I want sparkling, but not still- we have lovely clean tasty water in the UK so why buy bottled?

ZillionChocolate · 29/07/2011 09:34

I think it's unacceptable to only order tap water. I would always try to ensure that I was spending as I appreciate people have a business to run. If I'm eating in a restaurant I would often order a jug of tap water, and wouldn't pay for water unless it was sparkling. I like places that automatically bring you water, it only costs them washing up but makes a difference to good will.

uninspired · 29/07/2011 09:47

I'd rather fork out on a tip than for water in a restaurant.

LDNmummy · 29/07/2011 09:48

I don't like to drink a lot of drinks in restaurants because they are either fizzy drinks or cheap juices with lots of sugar.

I do always feel like you OP but stick to my guns about it because I also love water over other drinks and feel I shouldn't have to pay for something I can get practically free from the tap.

Plus all this bottled water is very bad for the environment and we are very lucky to have clean consumable water as a standard in this country so why not appreciate that.

I only order wine or beer if I am in the mood and the saved money goes towards lots of freshly squeezed juice for my home instead.

LDNmummy · 29/07/2011 09:49

Oh and I tip so not a cheapskate.

azazello · 29/07/2011 09:57

DH only drinks tap water - he really doesn't like bottled water. We've only had problems with sniffy waiters or water not arriving at all some chain pizza restaurants - pretty much all others have been fab. I wouldn't expect to get a cup of water on its own from a cafe but I would expect them to let DH and the children have glasses of water if we're sitting down and having food.

I love Yo Sushi because of the taps of water on the table.

Camerondiazepam · 29/07/2011 10:02

Love the fact you spelt "pecuniary" right but stumbled at "tap".
Yes yes y'all...

lurkerspeaks · 29/07/2011 11:28

depends where I am - if I would normally drink tap I do so.

If I'm in London where i hate the water I cough up for bottled.

MillontheFloss · 29/07/2011 11:33

DH and I were CHARGED £3 for a jug of tepid tap water at a restaurant in Highbury, North London- San Daniele Del Friuli. Not sure if this is even allowed. Would have reneged on the tip if it hadn't already been added to the bill! They have lost out on our custom anyway.

ImeldaM · 29/07/2011 11:41

I wouldn't order tap water if that was all we were having, eg in a pub, but would if ordering food.

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