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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I never used to go around with a water bottle, let alone, grab a cup of coffee

741 replies

LittleBookofCalm · 13/10/2018 12:46

every time I went out.
what is it with people having to be constantly Slurping!

the world cannot cope with all the rubbish this causes.

OP posts:
Xenia · 14/10/2018 08:23

Water fountains would be the obvious one. Given the lack of public loos it can be good idea not to drink too much when you're out these days. I always joke to my children that I will leave my money to rebuild and endow our local public lavatory. Perhaps we culd put a water fountain near it.

PhilomenaButterfly · 14/10/2018 08:46

DS2 has been told to take a water bottle to school and drink 2 full bottles a day by the school nurse, to cure bedwetting and constipation.

Original poster
LittleBookofCalm · 14/10/2018 08:58

what can we do about the waste?

OP posts:
Loopytiles · 14/10/2018 09:04

Agree that waste is a big concern. Tax seems likely at some point.

We use a water bottle and re-usable coffee / tea cup.

Loopytiles · 14/10/2018 09:04

But there are also many other even more wasteful practices, eg supermarkets, amazon and other home delivery.

limitedperiodonly · 14/10/2018 09:05

I will leave my money to rebuild and endow our local public lavatory.

What a great idea Xenia. I'd only do it if I could have my name above it though. Possibly in lights. I know anonymous philanthropy is more dignified but I'd want my name to live on in some way. Seeing as I'm not going to be remembered for my contribution to arts, science or humanitarian acts I think my name above a public lavatory would be a fitting tribute to my life.

Everyoneiswingingit · 14/10/2018 09:10

It's not being thirsty that is a problem, it's the takeaway coffees on the go in a non recyclable cup. My DD works at a well known chain. They DON'T recycle cups. Water on the go for thirst (in a reusable bottle) is great, coffee doesn't quench anything, if anything it leaves you thirstier and you need to buy a bottle of water after. Noticed how coffee stores are now pushing bottled water with every coffee?

IcedPurple · 14/10/2018 09:11

Not exactly on topic but a real pet hate of mine is when you go into a cafe to sit down and have a coffee, you still get given one of those awful styrofoam 'trainner mugs'. If I'm going to pay £3 for a cup of coffee, a want a proper cup to drink it out of.

reallybadidea · 14/10/2018 09:15

if anything it leaves you thirstier

Why would a coffee leave you thirstier? It quenches my thirst just fine!

MeganNut · 14/10/2018 09:16

coffee doesn't quench anything, if anything it leaves you thirstier

That's not correct for people in general.

OftenHangry · 14/10/2018 09:16

Well, you can always go and choose coffee shops which use biodegradable stuff. There are plenty nowadays especially the independent ones.
Lots of people aren't even aware of the fact that coffee cups are generally lined with plastic. Same like lots of people don't know we can recycle black plastic here yet.

Gently educate people so they could make an informed decision, it works much better than being bit of an arrogant and judgey b*c about what they are doing...

OftenHangry · 14/10/2018 09:18

@reallybadidea
Caffein based drinks make you urinate more so then you need to drink more water.

ferrier · 14/10/2018 09:20

That's usually only in people unaccustomed to it. I drink probably equal amounts of coke and water. Coke doesn't make me need the loo at all. Water does.

Everyoneiswingingit · 14/10/2018 09:20

It doesn't refresh your mouth like water or tea, you get left with coffee/teacher breath!

SoyDora · 14/10/2018 09:22

It doesn't refresh your mouth like water or tea

Your mouth maybe.
Tea doesn’t refresh me at all. Coffee does.

Everyoneiswingingit · 14/10/2018 09:22

As for independents, if you're not in London or other major towns or cities you don't have the luxury of that choice.

WhoWants2Know · 14/10/2018 09:22

In my case I always have a drink to hand and it's related to asthma. Taking a drink can relieve early symptoms before without using the reliever inhaler.

SoyDora · 14/10/2018 09:24

As for independents, if you're not in London or other major towns or cities you don't have the luxury of that choice

I live in a very small town in the midlands. We only have independents, it’s not big enough for chains like Costa etc to bother with. We have a great deli, 2 small independent cafes and a wine bar that does good coffee in the day time. I think you can buy costa from a machine in the petrol station!

reallybadidea · 14/10/2018 09:24

*Caffein based drinks make you urinate more so then you need to drink more water."

Caffeine is a mild diuretic (makes you pee more) but a caffeinated drink will not make you urinate more water than was in the drink itself ie it doesn't dehydrate you - that's a myth.

Everyoneiswingingit · 14/10/2018 09:24

Carry on drinking coffee in the street but please take a reusable cup or bottle. Very few people do unfortunately.

JacquesHammer · 14/10/2018 09:26

There are plenty nowadays especially the independent ones

We have a number of independents in our tiny market town and a Costa. None of the independents open before 9.30am and they shut at 4pm.

Guess who is doing the best business whilst the independents matter against corporate giants damaging the High Street.

The town council suggested working as a team, so each independent opens one early morning to get the rush hour crowd. They weren’t interested.

OftenHangry · 14/10/2018 09:27

@Everyoneiswingingit well then people could go and put a pressure on big brands like they did with straws. Problem is that majority things that their voice can't change anything.

OftenHangry · 14/10/2018 09:28

@JacquesHammer that's a shame! Our independents are great. Luckily.
I admire that even council stepped in

Everyoneiswingingit · 14/10/2018 09:29

Costa will fill your cup from home. Still, it's the customers who haven't taken this up in large numbers-yet.

Hideandgo · 14/10/2018 09:36

I think the OPs annoyance is actually down to the water bottle carrying/take away coffee filled hand link to people who are ‘living my best life’. Let’s be honest, the whole dependency on doing things like this is mildly irritating if you’re in a bad mood already.

(I always have a coffee in my hand, it’s comforting).