What if there were no "free refills"?

12467

Replies

  • This content has been removed.
  • Galatea_Stone
    Galatea_Stone Posts: 2,037 Member
    There were most definitely all-you-can-eat buffets in the midwest when I was a kid. I'm almost the same age as OP (the age I have on the website is wrong, meh), and we had smorgasbords. Those are all-you-can-eat buffets where you don't even have to move. The food rotates and you plate it while standing in one spot - how sedentarily cool is that?? Rotating conveyors of all the swedish and norwegian food a kid could eat, and all the pot roast and gravy, too.

    Has nobody heard of Duff's? Ponderosa? Ponderosa was all over the place when I was a small kid. There have been smorgasbords in hotels in the USA since the 1800s.

    I drink soda and don't usually finish one cup, so that has never been an issue. Besides, I drink diet soda, so even 6 cups is still negligible calories.
  • ruqayyahsmum
    ruqayyahsmum Posts: 1,513 Member
    ..
  • ruqayyahsmum
    ruqayyahsmum Posts: 1,513 Member
    I do agree with you. 100%! Most of the folks spouting about self control and choices are folks under 30 or so. They have grown up with the glutinous mentality that has infected this country. Refills are not a inalienable right that an individual has, they are a luxury that has been turned into a mandate due to competition between restaurants. There is no self control in this country anymore, go to WalMart and see who is using the handicap parking and scooter chairs. Morbidly obese. When did obesity become ok? We pass laws about when and where people can smoke but no one is complaining about that. I am not really about limiting choices, just making people pay for them. Let see how bad you want to be fat.

    No one suggested refills are an inalienable right. It has been suggested many times that if the option is available, it's a matter of self control and choice. I was able to go from being overweight to a health weight while still getting a refill (free or not) during the time it took me to lose that weight.

    Why do people that support this love to say something like, "I'm all for personal choice" or "I'm not really about limiting choices" and then immediately, in the same sentence no less, say the exact opposite?

    Bottom line: Obesity exists in countries where free refills and all-you-can-eat buffets don't. So why ban something that's obviously not the reason for obesity? Instead of totally ineffective reactionary measures like this one, try focusing on precautionary and potentially useful ones like nutrition and exercise education?

    You're right that obesity exists in other countries that don't have free refills, but it is epidemic in the US. You are comparing apples and oranges here and they are not the same.:smile:

    So free refills are the cause of the epidemic? That's the position you're taking? You think that a large percentage of obese people in the US get the majority of their overage calories from soda refills?

    It should also be noted that the obesity rates are rising quickly in Canada and nearly all of the western European countries. I wonder what they're doing differently from people in the US if this is an apples to oranges comparison? I'm pretty sure I know. It's from a caloric surplus that comes from a eating more than the body can utilize each day. And those calories, like in the US, are coming from a wide range of food sources, not just soda.

    Soda refills are not the only reason, but I am in full agreement with the OP's post. SOMETHING has changed since the 60's and 70's. What exactly do you think it is? :flowerforyou:

    sedentary lifestyles and an abundance of cheap food made with low quality ingredients
  • nicolemontagna22
    nicolemontagna22 Posts: 229 Member
    I know incant control myself at restaurants. Ya know what I do? Ask servers not to bring ME an extra anything. I ask to have half my food wrapped before I eat and I ask her to only bring enough rolls for my family
  • GiveMeCoffee
    GiveMeCoffee Posts: 3,556 Member
    There were most definitely all-you-can-eat buffets in the midwest when I was a kid. I'm almost the same age as OP (the age I have on the website is wrong, meh), and we had smorgasbords. Those are all-you-can-eat buffets where you don't even have to move. The food rotates and you plate it while standing in one spot - how sedentarily cool is that?? Rotating conveyors of all the swedish and norwegian food a kid could eat, and all the pot roast and gravy, too.

    Has nobody heard of Duff's? Ponderosa? Ponderosa was all over the place when I was a small kid. There have been smorgasbords in hotels in the USA since the 1800s.

    I drink soda and don't usually finish one cup, so that has never been an issue. Besides, I drink diet soda, so even 6 cups is still negligible calories.

    I miss Ponderosa!

    Obesity is worse because we don't get off our *kitten* and we eat way too much. But I'm sick of people wanting to place blame everywhere else but on themselves. That's the biggest change, as a culture now most people do not take any responsibility for what they do, it's always someone else's fault.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    My boyfriend and I were discussing this the other day, as I was thinking about some municipalities trying to ban or limit sizing on soft drinks.

    When I was younger, when you ordered a soda you got a glass of soda, and if you wanted a refill, you paid for it. I remember begging mom for another refill, which she'd usually allow me one. Now, it's considered good service if you are brought a refill on your drink without having to ask for it. I think I've probably had 6 glasses of soda when a waitress was on her game. (And of course, water was always free.)

    We also didn't have all-you-can-eat buffets when I was a kid. We had a "buffet" where you would pay for each item, like a cafeteria line. That was always a treat when I was a kid--I got to eat what I wanted rather than what mom made for me, and had quite a variety to choose from. But I better get what I want on the one tray I went through the line with, and I better eat it all because mom was paying for every ounce.

    I think this is a better solution to banning soft drinks. Just have restaurants charge for refills. In my opinion, every wins.

    (Btw, I quit drinking soft drinks about a year ago, but every so often I still get a soda.)
    Huh? You do realize that servers only bring refills when the glass is empty, right? If you hadn't drank the first 5 glasses the server brought you, they wouldn't have to bring you a 6th. Most times they ask. When they just bring one, I leave it, and they see a full glass and don't bring anymore. This is one of the most non-sensical ideas I've ever read. What's the difference between limiting a soda to 16 oz with free refills, or allowing 64 oz sodas with no refills? Both ideas are stupid, and do nothing to fix the problem, which is a lack of education about nutrition.

    Also, all you can eat buffets have been around at least 60 years, longer than you've been alive.
  • parkscs
    parkscs Posts: 1,639 Member
    Wow, this may be the worst idea/thread I've seen in a while. We really need the government enforcing soft drink refill policies for private businesses? Seriously? Can you even think of a more trivial area of our society for government to get involved in? Next I suppose we'll have people wanting federal officers arresting anyone who consumes a donut (heaven help you if you're caught with a box of donuts, as that's clearly possession with the intent to distribute). And to the people who equated banning soft drink refills to banning indoor smoking ... give me a break. There is no such thing as second-hand fat.

    Edit: Adding a missing preposition.
  • disneygallagirl
    disneygallagirl Posts: 515 Member
    I DON'T WANNA HAVE TO PAY FOR REFILLS JUST BECAUSE OTHERS ARE UNABLE TO CONTROL THEMSELVES!!!!!!!!!!!!


    As it stands I had to walk out to my car for my license to buy cold medicine last week. WE CANNOT PROTECT THE WEAK AND STUPID FROM THEMSELVES...it's a never ending battle. There need not be laws for everything. Please let's allow darwinism to do it's good work and keep refills and everything else in life FREE so that nature can take it's natural course. PLEASE for the love of God and all that is holy (like free refills) do not RATION or otherwise control refills.

    I cannot tell you how painful and difficult it was to drive my sick butt to the pharmacy that fateful day...after waiting all day for someone to be home to watch the kiddo. I was a sick, sweaty, teary eyed, runny nosed painful face flinching hot mess and barely made it there. I teetered in the line after being at TWO counters for suggestions what kind of "allergy" medication I might need only to be told I needed COLD medicine. When all 6 other guests were done and it was my turn and I was still alive my mouth struggled to make the words that my mind struggled to remember the name of the medicine I had JUST A BIT AGO been suggested by the lady behind the counter.

    THEN the girl says she needs my ID. "But it's all they way in the car?!" "I'm sorry, I NEED it." It felt like an eternity gingerly walking all the way to the car so the steps would not bump my headache too hard. Then the breaks I had to make for blowing my nose. Then returning to find the lookalike of Fraziers dad getting grumpy b/c the lady had told me I could come back to the front of the line and I took her up on it.

    Then to muster up the strength to do the decent thing and EXPLAIN to the man that I had been sent out after already being at the counter and told I could come back up, because the worker did not see fit to bother herself to tell him so that he might not continue to want to kill me for cutting in line. He eventually felt sorry for me as I explained, but I'm certain he thought I was a junky or an a-hole at first. Prolly both.

    Then to finally have to answer whether the amount of pills in the container were "enough", I guess this is a consideration if you are going to have your purchases rationed, but I was desperate and just like "those are fine" ...(I'm not trying to make anything out of it or medicate a team, just myself, prolly just for a day or two.)

    I tell this whole rant/story so that people might understand HOW INCONVENIENT AND RIDICULOUS trying to regulate the shet out of every single thing for the masses because of the stupidity/irresponsibility/laziness/ignorance of the few really ends up being in practice. It might SOUND nice to make little "rules" for "their own good" but it makes mundane tasks needlessly monumental.

    Truth. Less rules, more common sense please.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    My boyfriend and I were discussing this the other day, as I was thinking about some municipalities trying to ban or limit sizing on soft drinks.

    When I was younger, when you ordered a soda you got a glass of soda, and if you wanted a refill, you paid for it. I remember begging mom for another refill, which she'd usually allow me one. Now, it's considered good service if you are brought a refill on your drink without having to ask for it. I think I've probably had 6 glasses of soda when a waitress was on her game. (And of course, water was always free.)

    We also didn't have all-you-can-eat buffets when I was a kid. We had a "buffet" where you would pay for each item, like a cafeteria line. That was always a treat when I was a kid--I got to eat what I wanted rather than what mom made for me, and had quite a variety to choose from. But I better get what I want on the one tray I went through the line with, and I better eat it all because mom was paying for every ounce.

    I think this is a better solution to banning soft drinks. Just have restaurants charge for refills. In my opinion, every wins.

    (Btw, I quit drinking soft drinks about a year ago, but every so often I still get a soda.)
    Huh? You do realize that servers only bring refills when the glass is empty, right? If you hadn't drank the first 5 glasses the server brought you, they wouldn't have to bring you a 6th. Most times they ask. When they just bring one, I leave it, and they see a full glass and don't bring anymore. This is one of the most non-sensical ideas I've ever read. What's the difference between limiting a soda to 16 oz with free refills, or allowing 64 oz sodas with no refills? Both ideas are stupid, and do nothing to fix the problem, which is a lack of education about nutrition.

    Also, all you can eat buffets have been around at least 60 years, longer than you've been alive.
    I was brought a "fresh" drink when my cup had 1/3 left just last week. WITHOUT my asking for (or wanting) a new one.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    Wow, this may be the worst idea/thread I've seen in a while. We really need the government enforcing soft drink refill policies for private businesses? Seriously? Can you even think of a more trivial area of our society for government to get involved in? Next I suppose we'll have people wanting federal officers arresting anyone who consumes a donut (heaven help you if you're caught with a box donuts, as that's clearly possession with the intent to distribute). And to the people who equated banning soft drink refills to banning indoor smoking ... give me a break. There is no such thing as second-hand fat.

    :laugh: @ possession with intent to distribute
  • nicolemontagna22
    nicolemontagna22 Posts: 229 Member
    My boyfriend and I were discussing this the other day, as I was thinking about some municipalities trying to ban or limit sizing on soft drinks.

    When I was younger, when you ordered a soda you got a glass of soda, and if you wanted a refill, you paid for it. I remember begging mom for another refill, which she'd usually allow me one. Now, it's considered good service if you are brought a refill on your drink without having to ask for it. I think I've probably had 6 glasses of soda when a waitress was on her game. (And of course, water was always free.)

    We also didn't have all-you-can-eat buffets when I was a kid. We had a "buffet" where you would pay for each item, like a cafeteria line. That was always a treat when I was a kid--I got to eat what I wanted rather than what mom made for me, and had quite a variety to choose from. But I better get what I want on the one tray I went through the line with, and I better eat it all because mom was paying for every ounce.

    I think this is a better solution to banning soft drinks. Just have restaurants charge for refills. In my opinion, every wins.

    (Btw, I quit drinking soft drinks about a year ago, but every so often I still get a soda.)
    Huh? You do realize that servers only bring refills when the glass is empty, right? If you hadn't drank the first 5 glasses the server brought you, they wouldn't have to bring you a 6th. Most times they ask. When they just bring one, I leave it, and they see a full glass and don't bring anymore. This is one of the most non-sensical ideas I've ever read. What's the difference between limiting a soda to 16 oz with free refills, or allowing 64 oz sodas with no refills? Both ideas are stupid, and do nothing to fix the problem, which is a lack of education about nutrition.

    Also, all you can eat buffets have been around at least 60 years, longer than you've been alive.
    I was brought a "fresh" drink when my cup had 1/3 left just last week. WITHOUT my asking for (or wanting) a new one.

    That's a courtesy though. I'd rather get a free refill unprompted that run out if soda and not seeing my server. Especially if I'm eating something spicy lol
  • Heir0fFir3
    Heir0fFir3 Posts: 50 Member
    We used to have free refills and still do in Nandos (UK) but I used to still have to take my first drink away because I took so long. I also only ever really get one or 2 plates at a buffet. All about self control and only eating until you're full
  • nicolemontagna22
    nicolemontagna22 Posts: 229 Member
    I have never came across a server who wouldn't honor a request if you ask them at the beginning of the meal not to bring out something specific. They even makes swaps for healthier options on the food items if you ask.
  • sloth3toes
    sloth3toes Posts: 2,212 Member
    junky a-hole

    This was an awesome post. Love the way you tell a story. Made me feel a bit sick, just reading it.

    :sick:
  • MagJam2004
    MagJam2004 Posts: 651 Member
    I rather people be educated than dictated.

    this all the way.
  • nicolemontagna22
    nicolemontagna22 Posts: 229 Member
    I'd actually tip less if I have to sit and wait before I can get another drink. It's their job to make sure u have everything you need. Especially since u can't go back into the kitchen and get it yourself.
  • nicolemontagna22
    nicolemontagna22 Posts: 229 Member
    I do agree with you. 100%! Most of the folks spouting about self control and choices are folks under 30 or so. They have grown up with the glutinous mentality that has infected this country. Refills are not a inalienable right that an individual has, they are a luxury that has been turned into a mandate due to competition between restaurants. There is no self control in this country anymore, go to WalMart and see who is using the handicap parking and scooter chairs. Morbidly obese. When did obesity become ok? We pass laws about when and where people can smoke but no one is complaining about that. I am not really about limiting choices, just making people pay for them. Let see how bad you want to be fat.

    No one suggested refills are an inalienable right. It has been suggested many times that if the option is available, it's a matter of self control and choice. I was able to go from being overweight to a health weight while still getting a refill (free or not) during the time it took me to lose that weight.

    Why do people that support this love to say something like, "I'm all for personal choice" or "I'm not really about limiting choices" and then immediately, in the same sentence no less, say the exact opposite?

    Bottom line: Obesity exists in countries where free refills and all-you-can-eat buffets don't. So why ban something that's obviously not the reason for obesity? Instead of totally ineffective reactionary measures like this one, try focusing on precautionary and potentially useful ones like nutrition and exercise education?

    Totally agree. The people with high blood pressure are gonna want them to keep the salt off the table next.
  • PearlAng
    PearlAng Posts: 681 Member
    I do agree with you. 100%! Most of the folks spouting about self control and choices are folks under 30 or so. They have grown up with the glutinous mentality that has infected this country. Refills are not a inalienable right that an individual has, they are a luxury that has been turned into a mandate due to competition between restaurants. There is no self control in this country anymore, go to WalMart and see who is using the handicap parking and scooter chairs. Morbidly obese. When did obesity become ok? We pass laws about when and where people can smoke but no one is complaining about that. I am not really about limiting choices, just making people pay for them. Let see how bad you want to be fat.

    No one suggested refills are an inalienable right. It has been suggested many times that if the option is available, it's a matter of self control and choice. I was able to go from being overweight to a health weight while still getting a refill (free or not) during the time it took me to lose that weight.

    Why do people that support this love to say something like, "I'm all for personal choice" or "I'm not really about limiting choices" and then immediately, in the same sentence no less, say the exact opposite?

    Bottom line: Obesity exists in countries where free refills and all-you-can-eat buffets don't. So why ban something that's obviously not the reason for obesity? Instead of totally ineffective reactionary measures like this one, try focusing on precautionary and potentially useful ones like nutrition and exercise education?

    Totally agree. The people with high blood pressure are gonna want them to keep the salt off the table next.
    I think that's actually a pretty spot-on equivalent.
  • Slacker16
    Slacker16 Posts: 1,184 Member
    We've had this discussion, or variants of it, many times and each time people make the same fallacy.

    Of course people should take personal responsibility for what they cram in their gullet. They should also report their entire income, obey traffic laws scrupulously, etc... Unfortunately they don't, and governments have to deal with what their citizens do, not what they ought to be doing.

    If obesity is a serious enough public health concern for the government to have to intervene, and free refills on sodas were shown to be an important cause of it, it would make sense for the government to ban it.

    That being said, I disagree with both of the former so I would not support the latter.
    As it stands I had to walk out to my car for my license to buy cold medicine last week.
    (...)
    Then to finally have to answer whether the amount of pills in the container were "enough", I guess this is a consideration if you are going to have your purchases rationed, but I was desperate and just like "those are fine" ...(I'm not trying to make anything out of it or medicate a team, just myself, prolly just for a day or two.)
    I know, right. Every time I want to robo-trip I have to go to a different pharmacy, and sometimes take transportation into NY. So annoying.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    My boyfriend and I were discussing this the other day, as I was thinking about some municipalities trying to ban or limit sizing on soft drinks.

    When I was younger, when you ordered a soda you got a glass of soda, and if you wanted a refill, you paid for it. I remember begging mom for another refill, which she'd usually allow me one. Now, it's considered good service if you are brought a refill on your drink without having to ask for it. I think I've probably had 6 glasses of soda when a waitress was on her game. (And of course, water was always free.)

    We also didn't have all-you-can-eat buffets when I was a kid. We had a "buffet" where you would pay for each item, like a cafeteria line. That was always a treat when I was a kid--I got to eat what I wanted rather than what mom made for me, and had quite a variety to choose from. But I better get what I want on the one tray I went through the line with, and I better eat it all because mom was paying for every ounce.

    I think this is a better solution to banning soft drinks. Just have restaurants charge for refills. In my opinion, every wins.

    (Btw, I quit drinking soft drinks about a year ago, but every so often I still get a soda.)
    Huh? You do realize that servers only bring refills when the glass is empty, right? If you hadn't drank the first 5 glasses the server brought you, they wouldn't have to bring you a 6th. Most times they ask. When they just bring one, I leave it, and they see a full glass and don't bring anymore. This is one of the most non-sensical ideas I've ever read. What's the difference between limiting a soda to 16 oz with free refills, or allowing 64 oz sodas with no refills? Both ideas are stupid, and do nothing to fix the problem, which is a lack of education about nutrition.

    Also, all you can eat buffets have been around at least 60 years, longer than you've been alive.
    I was brought a "fresh" drink when my cup had 1/3 left just last week. WITHOUT my asking for (or wanting) a new one.

    That's a courtesy though. I'd rather get a free refill unprompted that run out if soda and not seeing my server. Especially if I'm eating something spicy lol
    I wouldn't. It seems hugely wasteful to me.
  • nicolemontagna22
    nicolemontagna22 Posts: 229 Member
    My boyfriend and I were discussing this the other day, as I was thinking about some municipalities trying to ban or limit sizing on soft drinks.

    When I was younger, when you ordered a soda you got a glass of soda, and if you wanted a refill, you paid for it. I remember begging mom for another refill, which she'd usually allow me one. Now, it's considered good service if you are brought a refill on your drink without having to ask for it. I think I've probably had 6 glasses of soda when a waitress was on her game. (And of course, water was always free.)

    We also didn't have all-you-can-eat buffets when I was a kid. We had a "buffet" where you would pay for each item, like a cafeteria line. That was always a treat when I was a kid--I got to eat what I wanted rather than what mom made for me, and had quite a variety to choose from. But I better get what I want on the one tray I went through the line with, and I better eat it all because mom was paying for every ounce.

    I think this is a better solution to banning soft drinks. Just have restaurants charge for refills. In my opinion, every wins.

    (Btw, I quit drinking soft drinks about a year ago, but every so often I still get a soda.)
    Huh? You do realize that servers only bring refills when the glass is empty, right? If you hadn't drank the first 5 glasses the server brought you, they wouldn't have to bring you a 6th. Most times they ask. When they just bring one, I leave it, and they see a full glass and don't bring anymore. This is one of the most non-sensical ideas I've ever read. What's the difference between limiting a soda to 16 oz with free refills, or allowing 64 oz sodas with no refills? Both ideas are stupid, and do nothing to fix the problem, which is a lack of education about nutrition.

    Also, all you can eat buffets have been around at least 60 years, longer than you've been alive.
    I was brought a "fresh" drink when my cup had 1/3 left just last week. WITHOUT my asking for (or wanting) a new one.

    That's a courtesy though. I'd rather get a free refill unprompted that run out if soda and not seeing my server. Especially if I'm eating something spicy lol
    I wouldn't. It seems hugely wasteful to me.

    You can ask them not to.
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    Yeah, I vaguely remember having to pay for refills on soda back in the day...I MOSTLY remember, b/c my grandparents would B & MOAN about being charged for a refill. Then, they just switched to drinking water at restaurants, b/c it was free. Hey, I'm all for being cheap, but their complaining was very annoying.

    Anyway back to the point...free refills can't possibly make that much of a contribution to the rise in obesity...b/c you can just go home and down a whole 2 liter. Free refills are just a symptom of a bigger problem.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    My boyfriend and I were discussing this the other day, as I was thinking about some municipalities trying to ban or limit sizing on soft drinks.

    When I was younger, when you ordered a soda you got a glass of soda, and if you wanted a refill, you paid for it. I remember begging mom for another refill, which she'd usually allow me one. Now, it's considered good service if you are brought a refill on your drink without having to ask for it. I think I've probably had 6 glasses of soda when a waitress was on her game. (And of course, water was always free.)

    We also didn't have all-you-can-eat buffets when I was a kid. We had a "buffet" where you would pay for each item, like a cafeteria line. That was always a treat when I was a kid--I got to eat what I wanted rather than what mom made for me, and had quite a variety to choose from. But I better get what I want on the one tray I went through the line with, and I better eat it all because mom was paying for every ounce.

    I think this is a better solution to banning soft drinks. Just have restaurants charge for refills. In my opinion, every wins.

    (Btw, I quit drinking soft drinks about a year ago, but every so often I still get a soda.)
    Huh? You do realize that servers only bring refills when the glass is empty, right? If you hadn't drank the first 5 glasses the server brought you, they wouldn't have to bring you a 6th. Most times they ask. When they just bring one, I leave it, and they see a full glass and don't bring anymore. This is one of the most non-sensical ideas I've ever read. What's the difference between limiting a soda to 16 oz with free refills, or allowing 64 oz sodas with no refills? Both ideas are stupid, and do nothing to fix the problem, which is a lack of education about nutrition.

    Also, all you can eat buffets have been around at least 60 years, longer than you've been alive.
    I was brought a "fresh" drink when my cup had 1/3 left just last week. WITHOUT my asking for (or wanting) a new one.

    That's a courtesy though. I'd rather get a free refill unprompted that run out if soda and not seeing my server. Especially if I'm eating something spicy lol
    I wouldn't. It seems hugely wasteful to me.

    You can ask them not to.
    Indeed. After they've poured it and brought it.
  • This content has been removed.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    My boyfriend and I were discussing this the other day, as I was thinking about some municipalities trying to ban or limit sizing on soft drinks.

    When I was younger, when you ordered a soda you got a glass of soda, and if you wanted a refill, you paid for it. I remember begging mom for another refill, which she'd usually allow me one. Now, it's considered good service if you are brought a refill on your drink without having to ask for it. I think I've probably had 6 glasses of soda when a waitress was on her game. (And of course, water was always free.)

    We also didn't have all-you-can-eat buffets when I was a kid. We had a "buffet" where you would pay for each item, like a cafeteria line. That was always a treat when I was a kid--I got to eat what I wanted rather than what mom made for me, and had quite a variety to choose from. But I better get what I want on the one tray I went through the line with, and I better eat it all because mom was paying for every ounce.

    I think this is a better solution to banning soft drinks. Just have restaurants charge for refills. In my opinion, every wins.

    (Btw, I quit drinking soft drinks about a year ago, but every so often I still get a soda.)
    Huh? You do realize that servers only bring refills when the glass is empty, right? If you hadn't drank the first 5 glasses the server brought you, they wouldn't have to bring you a 6th. Most times they ask. When they just bring one, I leave it, and they see a full glass and don't bring anymore. This is one of the most non-sensical ideas I've ever read. What's the difference between limiting a soda to 16 oz with free refills, or allowing 64 oz sodas with no refills? Both ideas are stupid, and do nothing to fix the problem, which is a lack of education about nutrition.

    Also, all you can eat buffets have been around at least 60 years, longer than you've been alive.
    I was brought a "fresh" drink when my cup had 1/3 left just last week. WITHOUT my asking for (or wanting) a new one.

    That's a courtesy though. I'd rather get a free refill unprompted that run out if soda and not seeing my server. Especially if I'm eating something spicy lol
    I wouldn't. It seems hugely wasteful to me.

    You can ask them not to.
    Indeed. After they've poured it and brought it.

    Or at the very beginning when you are seated…

    Like someone else pointed out, servers are usually pretty willing to comply with requests, especially simple ones like this where it is LESS work for them.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    My boyfriend and I were discussing this the other day, as I was thinking about some municipalities trying to ban or limit sizing on soft drinks.

    When I was younger, when you ordered a soda you got a glass of soda, and if you wanted a refill, you paid for it. I remember begging mom for another refill, which she'd usually allow me one. Now, it's considered good service if you are brought a refill on your drink without having to ask for it. I think I've probably had 6 glasses of soda when a waitress was on her game. (And of course, water was always free.)

    We also didn't have all-you-can-eat buffets when I was a kid. We had a "buffet" where you would pay for each item, like a cafeteria line. That was always a treat when I was a kid--I got to eat what I wanted rather than what mom made for me, and had quite a variety to choose from. But I better get what I want on the one tray I went through the line with, and I better eat it all because mom was paying for every ounce.

    I think this is a better solution to banning soft drinks. Just have restaurants charge for refills. In my opinion, every wins.

    (Btw, I quit drinking soft drinks about a year ago, but every so often I still get a soda.)
    Huh? You do realize that servers only bring refills when the glass is empty, right? If you hadn't drank the first 5 glasses the server brought you, they wouldn't have to bring you a 6th. Most times they ask. When they just bring one, I leave it, and they see a full glass and don't bring anymore. This is one of the most non-sensical ideas I've ever read. What's the difference between limiting a soda to 16 oz with free refills, or allowing 64 oz sodas with no refills? Both ideas are stupid, and do nothing to fix the problem, which is a lack of education about nutrition.

    Also, all you can eat buffets have been around at least 60 years, longer than you've been alive.
    I was brought a "fresh" drink when my cup had 1/3 left just last week. WITHOUT my asking for (or wanting) a new one.

    That's a courtesy though. I'd rather get a free refill unprompted that run out if soda and not seeing my server. Especially if I'm eating something spicy lol
    I wouldn't. It seems hugely wasteful to me.

    You can ask them not to.
    Indeed. After they've poured it and brought it.

    Or at the very beginning when you are seated…

    Like someone else pointed out, servers are usually pretty willing to comply with requests, especially simple ones like this where it is LESS work for them.
    On the flip side: when entering a new restaurant folks could say: hey, do you have free refills, bring em coming. I'd rather they ASK ME before bringing unwanted things to my table. Hard to know going in, unless you're a regular. If it's not there, I won't feel like I "should" (I don't) drink a little of it. It's just such a silly waste. And not something I've seen in ANY other country. I've never seen a waiter bring a fresh soda (tea, whatever) in a fresh glass when a full 1/3 of the glass of the previous drink is still there. WITH NO PROMPTING. To me it's just silly and wasteful. I'm not saying limit, legislate etc. I'm just saying: ask me before bring refills. Water, drinks, bread...
    Otherwise, I'm generally of the mind that we all make our choices and we all live with those choices. If you want 3 or 4 20ounce sodas? Go for it. The ONLY times I've ever complained about the choices others make is when they are blowing smoke toward me, or taking up part of MY expensive airplane seat. Otherwise, their choices are their own.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    My boyfriend and I were discussing this the other day, as I was thinking about some municipalities trying to ban or limit sizing on soft drinks.

    When I was younger, when you ordered a soda you got a glass of soda, and if you wanted a refill, you paid for it. I remember begging mom for another refill, which she'd usually allow me one. Now, it's considered good service if you are brought a refill on your drink without having to ask for it. I think I've probably had 6 glasses of soda when a waitress was on her game. (And of course, water was always free.)

    We also didn't have all-you-can-eat buffets when I was a kid. We had a "buffet" where you would pay for each item, like a cafeteria line. That was always a treat when I was a kid--I got to eat what I wanted rather than what mom made for me, and had quite a variety to choose from. But I better get what I want on the one tray I went through the line with, and I better eat it all because mom was paying for every ounce.

    I think this is a better solution to banning soft drinks. Just have restaurants charge for refills. In my opinion, every wins.

    (Btw, I quit drinking soft drinks about a year ago, but every so often I still get a soda.)
    Huh? You do realize that servers only bring refills when the glass is empty, right? If you hadn't drank the first 5 glasses the server brought you, they wouldn't have to bring you a 6th. Most times they ask. When they just bring one, I leave it, and they see a full glass and don't bring anymore. This is one of the most non-sensical ideas I've ever read. What's the difference between limiting a soda to 16 oz with free refills, or allowing 64 oz sodas with no refills? Both ideas are stupid, and do nothing to fix the problem, which is a lack of education about nutrition.

    Also, all you can eat buffets have been around at least 60 years, longer than you've been alive.
    I was brought a "fresh" drink when my cup had 1/3 left just last week. WITHOUT my asking for (or wanting) a new one.

    That's a courtesy though. I'd rather get a free refill unprompted that run out if soda and not seeing my server. Especially if I'm eating something spicy lol
    I wouldn't. It seems hugely wasteful to me.

    You can ask them not to.
    Indeed. After they've poured it and brought it.

    Or at the very beginning when you are seated…

    Like someone else pointed out, servers are usually pretty willing to comply with requests, especially simple ones like this where it is LESS work for them.
    On the flip side: when entering a new restaurant folks could say: hey, do you have free refills, bring em coming. I'd rather they ASK ME before bringing unwanted things to my table. Hard to know going in, unless you're a regular. If it's not there, I won't feel like I "should" (I don't) drink a little of it. It's just such a silly waste. And not something I've seen in ANY other country. I've never seen a waiter bring a fresh soda (tea, whatever) in a fresh glass when a full 1/3 of the glass of the previous drink is still there. WITH NO PROMPTING. To me it's just silly and wasteful. I'm not saying limit, legislate etc. I'm just saying: ask me before bring refills. Water, drinks, bread...
    Otherwise, I'm generally of the mind that we all make our choices and we all live with those choices. If you want 3 or 4 20ounce sodas? Go for it. The ONLY times I've ever complained about the choices others make is when they are blowing smoke toward me, or taking up part of MY expensive airplane seat. Otherwise, their choices are their own.

    I'm in Canada, it's happened here too. Usually you are asked but I know I've been to a couple of chains where they just bring you one.
  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    The reason for less obesity in the 50's, 60's and 70's, people moved more and didn't sit in front of computers/tv's all day. Kids were outside playing all day long. Mother's/wife's were scrubbing floors on their hands and knees. Doing the wash and hanging clothes out. People walk to the grocery stores, etc.

    Now everything is done for you.

    It's my fault, NOT society's fault, that I got fat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :grumble: :explode:
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Huh? You do realize that servers only bring refills when the glass is empty, right? If you hadn't drank the first 5 glasses the server brought you, they wouldn't have to bring you a 6th. Most times they ask. When they just bring one, I leave it, and they see a full glass and don't bring anymore. This is one of the most non-sensical ideas I've ever read. What's the difference between limiting a soda to 16 oz with free refills, or allowing 64 oz sodas with no refills? Both ideas are stupid, and do nothing to fix the problem, which is a lack of education about nutrition.

    Also, all you can eat buffets have been around at least 60 years, longer than you've been alive.
    I was brought a "fresh" drink when my cup had 1/3 left just last week. WITHOUT my asking for (or wanting) a new one.
    [/quote]
    That's a courtesy though. I'd rather get a free refill unprompted that run out if soda and not seeing my server. Especially if I'm eating something spicy lol
    I wouldn't. It seems hugely wasteful to me.
    You can ask them not to.
    Indeed. After they've poured it and brought it.
    [/quote]
    Or at the very beginning when you are seated…

    Like someone else pointed out, servers are usually pretty willing to comply with requests, especially simple ones like this where it is LESS work for them.
    On the flip side: when entering a new restaurant folks could say: hey, do you have free refills, bring em coming. I'd rather they ASK ME before bringing unwanted things to my table. Hard to know going in, unless you're a regular. If it's not there, I won't feel like I "should" (I don't) drink a little of it. It's just such a silly waste. And not something I've seen in ANY other country. I've never seen a waiter bring a fresh soda (tea, whatever) in a fresh glass when a full 1/3 of the glass of the previous drink is still there. WITH NO PROMPTING. To me it's just silly and wasteful. I'm not saying limit, legislate etc. I'm just saying: ask me before bring refills. Water, drinks, bread...
    Otherwise, I'm generally of the mind that we all make our choices and we all live with those choices. If you want 3 or 4 20ounce sodas? Go for it. The ONLY times I've ever complained about the choices others make is when they are blowing smoke toward me, or taking up part of MY expensive airplane seat. Otherwise, their choices are their own.

    I'm in Canada, it's happened here too. Usually you are asked but I know I've been to a couple of chains where they just bring you one.
    Canada, yes. I've had that happen at Earls, but not many other places. Where did you have that happen? It sure says a lot about mark up!