To be annoyed with a cafe who refused me a glass of tap water???

[Neney1]

I've just been along to my local park and popped into the cafe with a friend and our babies. Both of us ordered a cup of tea, and I asked for a glass of water as well(breastfeeding is thirsty work!!) and was refused and told I could only buy bottled water.

Now. I know that there's no law saying they have to give tap water, but the cafe owner is adamant he would make no exceptions whatsover (no matter how much food and drink you are buying).

So, am I?
Or should I just bite the bullet and buy bottled or even better, take in my own supply of tap water??

YANBU. He might be legally in the right, but he's not doing his business any favours by taking that attitude. I object to bottled water on ecological grounds anyway, so I'm on your side.

Thought they had to by law? Maybe someone else will know. Can't see the problem myself, you bought some tea, what's the big deal? Would not enter the place again.

YANBU.

In fact, I would have been tempted to cancel the cups of tea and go somewhere else where the owner wasn't such a twunt.

Take your own next time. He wouldn't give it because he buys it in for about 3p then sells it for £4, giving you tap water = a huge loss!!

Unbelievable! That is so out of order! No, you are very definately NOT being unreasonable.

I'd be tempted to go back and have it out with him (when you don;t have freinds/babies in tow as an audience). Ask him what the problem really is, seeing as how you are making a purchase and are quite clearly an adult and nt a tenager or a tramp that's going to loiter in his cafe all day!

It's not illegal but it is shite. Apparently, they are also within the law to charge a reasonable amount for tap water to cover water costs and service costs...not sure what a reasonable amount would be though.

Bottled water is disgusting. In all ways.

Nice man. I would have been annoyed too.

the cafe has to get with the programme, most businesses are biting the bullet and serving tap water, we had it in a lovely bottle last week and with ice and a slice in another.

Are you in London? The Evening Standard are running a campaign about this at the moment.

YANBU.

www.weeklygripe.co.uk/a560.asp Another tap water story!

Went out for lunch today and for the first time ever noticed 'tap water' on the menu. A very polite sentence explaining that they were happy to provide tap water at 30p/half pint or 60p/pint. I thought that was quite a reasonable charge, especially as they were so open about it and worded it politely.

Same happened to me about 2weeks ago. About 8 of us were eating at a restaurant, having lots of soft drinks etc.... and then one of my friends asked for ONE glass of water. The waiter said he was not allowed to serve tap water,... it was the manager's decision. So, I asked to see the manager.

I said I thought it a bit odd, to say the least, and he said it was to dissuade people from just coming in and not ordering anything bla bla bla.... I said that surely if a table is clearly spending a lot of money, the same rule should not be applied.

He agreed to give us the tap water. Doubt it'll change their policy, but maybe they'll teach the waiters to apply some common sense.

Just make a fuss when it happens, see the manager and I BET you'll get served tap water then!!
(I was also charged recently for some boiling water to heat up a bottle....!! I did not make a fuss that time as there was a big queue behind me and I just could not be bothered.... but seriously??!! Are they insane?)

name and shame these joints!

yanbu and neither is he.
i would simply refuse that establishment my custom ever again.
he on the other hand has taken a decision on how to run his business which he is perfectly entitled to do (even though anyone with a brain can see it's poor customer relations). he will either reap the benefits of his business or fail economically but how he goes about this is completely up to him and any decisions he makes within the law are completely reasonable.

the chain Strada provide absolutely lovely complementary filtered water in their restaurants

it has been filtered through anthracite or something

all free

The pub my dh and I go to for lunch always lets us have soda water with ice and lemon for free. We are always ordering food as well. Dh used to get me perrier but barman once suggested soda water instead and told him it would be free....I can't tell the difference!!!This is a big pub chain and this has been the same which ever one we have used.

YANBU. If you're already buying a drink, tap water should come free.

iloatheironing - what's the pub chain? sounds good

Thanks for support!! Not in London snickersack, but a leafy Warwickshire town!! It's not like they are inundated with tramps and such begging for water all the time.

After politely chatting to the manager, I actually had to ring the owner at home to discuss his shoddy business decision regarding tap water, he was still adamant though.

I would easily just boycott the place, but it's a bit of a mum meeting place, and we're not spoilt for choice round here! Think I will just take my own water in with me in future and just wait until someone questions it!!

Just out of interest... does anyone have a public fountain in their town? Maybe I could ask the council to consider one...? Maybe they'll put it directly outside the cafe...

Here in the North West I have never ever been refused a glass of tap water or been charged for it! Not even in posh eateries in Manchester city centre.

I often order a large glass of tap water while we are waiting for our tea/coffee and snacks at a pub that we walk 2.5 miles to. I only ask for water when I've already ordered something else.

I think you should take your own water out with you if you frequent watering holes run by these grabbing so and sos!

30p for a half pint of tap water Do they add on to your bill the equivalent price of the water they use to wash the cups and plates that you have used?

In Scotland licensed premises must supply free tap water there isn't the same provision in England and Wales.

I worked for an English pub chain in Scotland at one point and I may be talking total rubbish but I think the reason in Scotland we give free water is that our water is not metered so potentially it doesn't or may not cost as much.

Giles Coren did a thing about this in the Times. I think he gave extra points to places that gave him a jug of water or something when he did his reviews. It was quite funny but can't be arsed to look for a link.

I believe it is actually illegal for restaurants etc to refuse to give a member of the public a glass of tap water, or the use of the loo.

restaurants do not legally have to provide free tap water. Only licensed clubs do, a hangover from the old highways and inn laws that said tap water had to be given out for free to thirsty travellers. In a restaurant however when you order a meal you're agreeing to pay for the food and drink and service and this is a contract for work and materials to which the Supply of Goods and Services Act applies. "While a restaurant can't force you to buy mineral water, it can legitimately charge you for providing tap water as mean as it might sound. The provision of any water includes an element of service, such as pouring water into a jug and cleaning it after you

the WC is their property not public property.in Edinburgh adjacent castle one pub has keypad on WC door you ask for the code

Scottishmummy in Scotland any premises that sell alcohol for consumption on the premises must provide tap water fit for drinking free of charge on request. That includes everyone restaurants and all.
That is according to the Licensing(Scotland) Act 2005.