To think that if you are going to charge a pound for a mug of hot water, you should make it clear?

[pussycatwillum]

Yesterday I went out for lunch with a group of old ladies. One of them only ever drinks hot water. The waitress provided this for her. We then had lunch and asked for the bill.
The mug of hot water was charged at one pound.
The lady concerned was a) not happy to be asked to pay so much, although she did concede that she would have happily paid 50p as presumably they do have overheads to pay.
b) cross that nowhere on the menu was it mentioned and the waitress did not say 'There will be a charge of a pound for that, madam' which would have given her the chance to say no.
So was she being unreasonable?
It was at a place I have been to lots of times and when I mentioned that she wasn't happy the waitress immediately deducted the charge, but I think this was to avoid a scene.
Is it reasonable to charge for hot water, and is one pound a reasonable amount?

SDT, RTFT. It's been covered ad infinitum.

I give up. There is no talking to some people.

probably best.

I understand the business side of things but it sounds barbaric that in a rich country like this people are charged for a mug of water.

Would you think it ok to do this with a normal teabag? Or is it just herbal teas that have special dispensation in your minds?

So. In amongst all of this chat about prawn sandwiches and liquorice tea, I think the main point I've gathered from this thread is that no-one should go to MadameDefarge's café because she's a bit shouty.

glad you would find it funny to come to my business to undermine it.

Heh, Beertricks. Never mind teabags, I would have taken in a frigging calor gas stove and heated up a tin of beans at the table.

how old are you two?

I'm coming too! I have a biscuit smuggled in each cheek, and a herbal teabag in my cuff.

I'm just surprised tbh. I have seen people bring to cafes snacks for babies and toddlers, but never people make their own drink. Would never occur to me to do so. If a cafe didn't offer what I wanted to drink I would just chose something different or find a different cafe.

Oh, I can be quick. [does impressive-looking ninja arm movements]

weisswurst, you are clearly a hamster and therefore exempt from all pricing policy.

MmeDefarge - I thought I had explained reasonably clearly that I only do this with the licorice and Egyptian spice herbal tea bags, and not with any other foodstuff, beverage ingredient, preserve, condiment, or sandwich filling (prawn/mayonnaise based or otherwise). Obviously I did not. My apologies - I will attempt to be clearer in future.

I repeat, would you do it, without asking, with a normal tea bag?

Well, would any of you?

oh come, on, you must have some idea whether you would or not.

Yes and they would charge you for it. By bringing in your own stuff you are taking revenue from the outlet.

Are you incapable of understanding the principle of not bringing your own items in?

And if you do, making sure it is ok?