When you eat at a restaurant, do you prefer it when they pour the water for you or they give you a jug to pour for yourself?

[Hairbrush123]

Just that really. I know this isn’t an AIBU but just wanted to know what others think!

@StScholastica

You are quite mad gringringrin

Thanks. I think!

@Whatsonmymindgrapes

I don’t really mind but what I can’t stand is the coming over to ask if everything is ok? They always interrupt the conversation or your mid mouthful! Just leave us alone!

Provided it is just once and not multiple times then I don't have an issue with people doing their job, especially if staff are busy or just aren't regularly passing your table so they're not easy to flag down if you do have an issue.

It is also done so that any issues with a meal can be flagged up ASAP and rectified. It also means people can't wait till the end of a meal then complain the steak was overcooked, the potatoes were cold etc and then demand discounts/free meals ... if they don't flag it up during the check back then that's their problem not the restaurant's.

@Whatsonmymindgrapes I think they should come over once to check. I hate when there’s several people not realising that someone else has already checked, but they can’t win really. Most times they ask it’s when I have my mouth full but that’s obviously because they’ve just brought food for me to eat

Jug on table. I also prefer my fizzy drinks in cans/bottles to be left on the table too. I can do it myself!

Even before covid I wouldn't want anyone pouring my water

@Whatsonmymindgrapes

I don’t really mind but what I can’t stand is the coming over to ask if everything is ok? They always interrupt the conversation or your mid mouthful! Just leave us alone!

Omg! I am certain they do they when you have a mouthful of food so your only option is to nod and wave your fork in the air! Or they ask before you've even had a chance to eat anything.

First glass poured, left alone after that.

If it's water - I'm not fussed either way.
If it's wine - leave me to it. They don't top it up quick enough for me!

God no, I feel so awkward when I sit there and they and pour for me. I wouldn’t expect them to cut up my food either so…

Lordy you lot sometimes.

I hate it when my lovely hairdresser tries to help me on with my coat after my wash and blow dry , I just smile and gently take it out of her hands and put it on myself.
Same for anyone trying to do anything for me ; I'd rather do it myself. I'll pour my own water too.
The employees are not my personal slaves.

Poured for me. I have a disability which makes it harder for me to pour my own though.

Water in restaurants comes in bottles that you open and pour yourself. Never known it served in a jug, not since I was at school.

I'm not bothered.

I always refuse the water. I'm not watering down my alcohol by drinking water with it

I like it being poured. Especially if there’s more than two of you, means you don’t have to interrupt the flow of conversation etc to reach/request the bottle from across the table.

Please don’t pour my water or open my fizzy drink for me and ostentatiously pour it from a great height splashing it everywhere. I’m grateful for you pouring my first glass of wine but after that please let me top up my glass when I feel like it (and whatever you do please don’t put the wine bottle in an ice bucket out of reach on the other side of the restaurant!).

Also a jug and then leave me alone person.

It’s worse when they do the pouring thing with wine. Especially when they deliberately pour it unevenly between the group so that you feel you have to order another bottle.

Jug definitely. I finish that small glass in a minute or two then have to flag them down repeatedly very awkward.

@Whatsonmymindgrapes

I don’t really mind but what I can’t stand is the coming over to ask if everything is ok? They always interrupt the conversation or your mid mouthful! Just leave us alone!

Trust me, we don't want to make conversation with you either but if anything IS wrong, it's better to catch it early in order to avoid escalation. Obviously.

Jug on the table for me

Topping up wine at the table really annoys me and I think should be banned. How are you supposed to be aware of the alcohol units?

I sometimes have a small glass of wine when eating and driving. I’ve had servers come up and fill my glass back up to the top during dinner. I mean I’m usually close to friends I’m dining with but do they really want to drink the excess wine from my glass

You can tell some of you have never worked in hospitality before. Waiting staff aren't a different species ya know.

Jug on table, wine on table, I now just tell them to leave it if there’s any attempt to take it away 🤣

If waiting staff don't check if everything is OK then how can we rectify any mistakes or problems before it's too late.
We get a lot of secret callers and we lose quite a big % if they haven't had a checkback.

I would prefer a jug and pour myself. I'd feel awkward sat there waiting while someone else did it. I'm not a child.

Don’t care.