Water, water everywhere? No longer available!

dprainey
dprainey Posts: 2
edited September 25 in Introduce Yourself
I needed to eat lunch out today because we had company. While I found a reasonable entree and side (grilled chicken strips and steamed vegetables) , I discovered that the restaurant no longer offers water! The only way I could get water was to order, and pay for, bottled water. This was at Santa Fe Cattle Company, which I think is a national chain. What a major disappointment...I count on water to keep me from craving peanuts, yeast rolls, and high calorie drinks. The waiter's claim was that the Coca Cola distributor required it and that McDonald's is also doing this. Has anyone else had this experience?
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Replies

  • showers1989
    showers1989 Posts: 63 Member
    I've had this happen several times. I think this is horrible. I think it's just their way of trying to get you for every penny you got. They didn't like people ordering water because it was free.
  • nurse_chris
    nurse_chris Posts: 189
    Eeeeek - thats disgusting!!! I know herein Canada, it's illegal to not be able to offer tap water, but a small number of restaurants will charge you for glass maintenance, the straw, the lemon wedge... etc... but i have never encountered this nit picking...

    Maybe it's time to boycott these places?
  • ♥_Ellybean_♥
    ♥_Ellybean_♥ Posts: 1,646 Member
    This reminds me of my waitressin days.. when teenagers would come in and just order water, leave a big mess and no tip...

    However, if you are ordering a meal, than water should be a refillable option.
  • kao708
    kao708 Posts: 813 Member
    I was behind a guy at McDonald's the other day and when he asked for a water she offered him bottled water instead because a drink came with the meal but it sounded like she would have given him tap if he'd asked for it. Frankly, I don't like the "mystery", un-bottled water from restaurants because you never know where they got it from! :bigsmile:
  • jennsie
    jennsie Posts: 38
    Sometimes in the UK, you have to pay for tap water. Well, it's illegal but they charge you for the 'ice' or cleaning the glass.
    In America, I've had this issue before and also had it so I didn't want to drink the water as it tasted nasty - like chlorine. ew.

    It's still healthier than the alternatives...but if it is just from the tap, it should be free. So many calories in drinks, no wonder that people are overweight :(
  • helenium
    helenium Posts: 546 Member
    Sometimes in the UK, you have to pay for tap water. Well, it's illegal but they charge you for the 'ice' or cleaning the glass.

    This. Though, if you kick up a fuss...
  • joanipowell
    joanipowell Posts: 30 Member
    Looks I will be taking my water bottle in. LOl
  • JanerZzz
    JanerZzz Posts: 276
    Yikes! I usually always carry a bottle of water in my bag and I would have no shame in bringing it to the restaurant and drinking it should they refuse to give me a glass of water! SMH just awful!:noway:
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    Why should it be free if its from the tap?They still have to pay for it.
  • Galathea
    Galathea Posts: 420 Member
    Here in Germany you have to pay for water, no matter if sparkling or non-carbonated. And you never get tap water. It's all bottled.
  • cbirdso
    cbirdso Posts: 465 Member
    I live in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle area). I have never visited an eatery that didn't provide free tap water. What I do miss is the absence of drinking fountains. I remember when I was young, every retail store had a water fountain with chilled water. It was great.
  • SaraTonin
    SaraTonin Posts: 551 Member
    In France if you ask for water they'll bring you a bottle of expensive water - a trap! Gotta ask for un carafe.

    Just a tip if you ever go.
  • Zaggytiddies
    Zaggytiddies Posts: 326 Member
    Why should it be free if its from the tap?They still have to pay for it.

    This!!!!
  • JohnnyNull
    JohnnyNull Posts: 294 Member
    I've never experienced this. I've also never heard of that particular chain. I'd ask for a manager.
  • JohnnyNull
    JohnnyNull Posts: 294 Member
    Why should it be free if its from the tap?They still have to pay for it.

    This!!!!

    I know, they're charged at least half a cent! Woah! Who can take that kind of hit?
  • j_fattler
    j_fattler Posts: 94 Member
    should've just asked for the glass & gone to the bathroom & filled it up! wonder what they would've said then!
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    Why should it be free if its from the tap?They still have to pay for it.

    This!!!!

    I know, they're charged at least half a cent! Woah! Who can take that kind of hit?

    We pay for our tap water they pay for theirs.its a buisness why should anything be free?
  • Perfectlycrooked
    Perfectlycrooked Posts: 275 Member
    It's a pretty big deficit if you ask me!
  • Cynthiafaron
    Cynthiafaron Posts: 114 Member
    it's true they do have to pay for the water- but, I thought restaurants bend over backward to get your business for all their overpriced food - so shame on them for charging for water!
  • JohnnyNull
    JohnnyNull Posts: 294 Member
    Seriously. Take half a moment to look at their mark-up on liquor. Water? Cry me a river.
  • fullofhope
    fullofhope Posts: 78 Member
    To the gal from Germany:
    I don't know when they may have started that, I was there in 2001 and if I asked for "pipe water" I received a glass of water free. In France I always asked for une carafe d'eau, a carafe of water and didn't have any issues. However everyone is trying to get your nickles and dimes these days. I too, have no problem with bringing my own water to a restaurant.
  • Zaggytiddies
    Zaggytiddies Posts: 326 Member
    Why should it be free if its from the tap?They still have to pay for it.

    This!!!!

    I know, they're charged at least half a cent! Woah! Who can take that kind of hit?

    In this economy? Not many. Why should you get something for free just for being a customer? Businesses offer discounts, coupons, and deals as a courtesy. It's not required. They're in business to make money, not to give things out for free.
  • fullofhope
    fullofhope Posts: 78 Member
    it's true they do have to pay for the water- but, I thought restaurants bend over backward to get your business for all their overpriced food - so shame on them for charging for water!

    Not to mention that fact that the portions are huge and unhealthy, but God forbid a restaurant that serves proper portions that you don't need to take out a loan for.
  • fullofhope
    fullofhope Posts: 78 Member
    Why should it be free if its from the tap?They still have to pay for it.

    This!!!!

    I know, they're charged at least half a cent! Woah! Who can take that kind of hit?

    In this economy? Not many. Why should you get something for free just for being a customer? Businesses offer discounts, coupons, and deals as a courtesy. It's not required. They're in business to make money, not to give things out for free.

    You are absolutely right! So YOU go there and pay for water. I will exercise my right to choose, and I choose to go somewhere that will give me a free glass of water with my meal that I will pay for and I can leave the server a nice tip.
  • FearAnLoathing
    FearAnLoathing Posts: 4,852 Member
    it's true they do have to pay for the water- but, I thought restaurants bend over backward to get your business for all their overpriced food - so shame on them for charging for water!

    Not to mention that fact that the portions are huge and unhealthy, but God forbid a restaurant that serves proper portions that you don't need to take out a loan for.

    If you have such an issue with it dont eat out lol
  • JohnnyNull
    JohnnyNull Posts: 294 Member
    Why should it be free if its from the tap?They still have to pay for it.

    This!!!!

    I know, they're charged at least half a cent! Woah! Who can take that kind of hit?

    In this economy? Not many. Why should you get something for free just for being a customer? Businesses offer discounts, coupons, and deals as a courtesy. It's not required. They're in business to make money, not to give things out for free.

    You're kidding, right? A courtesy? Do you think they're doing those things to be swell buddies? You do realize they make money by employing these tactics, right?
  • That_Girl
    That_Girl Posts: 1,324 Member
    I needed to eat lunch out today because we had company. While I found a reasonable entree and side (grilled chicken strips and steamed vegetables) , I discovered that the restaurant no longer offers water! The only way I could get water was to order, and pay for, bottled water. This was at Santa Fe Cattle Company, which I think is a national chain. What a major disappointment...I count on water to keep me from craving peanuts, yeast rolls, and high calorie drinks. The waiter's claim was that the Coca Cola distributor required it and that McDonald's is also doing this. Has anyone else had this experience?

    I haven't seen this happen yet, but when it does, we won't be going back to that place! Just horrible. I hate greedy *kitten*.
  • tessjordan88
    tessjordan88 Posts: 201 Member
    I was behind a guy at McDonald's the other day and when he asked for a water she offered him bottled water instead because a drink came with the meal but it sounded like she would have given him tap if he'd asked for it. Frankly, I don't like the "mystery", un-bottled water from restaurants because you never know where they got it from! :bigsmile:

    Amen!! My local tap water is excellent, with the exception of some lime problems, but nothing a Pur faucet mount filter can't handle. The taste is clean and not a chemical taste. However, the next towns over have HORRIBLE tap water! I went to Wal-Mart and got a case of the Nestle Pure water (very clean, tested to be in the top 8 cleanest bottled waters), and I keep some handy. When I'm at home, I refill the bottles, but when away, I drink the Nestle water. I won't drink tap water away from home, even if it is free.
  • JohnnyNull
    JohnnyNull Posts: 294 Member
    As we're on the topic of water, not to derail the thread, has anyone seen "Tapped"?
  • Zaggytiddies
    Zaggytiddies Posts: 326 Member
    Why should it be free if its from the tap?They still have to pay for it.

    This!!!!

    I know, they're charged at least half a cent! Woah! Who can take that kind of hit?

    In this economy? Not many. Why should you get something for free just for being a customer? Businesses offer discounts, coupons, and deals as a courtesy. It's not required. They're in business to make money, not to give things out for free.

    You're kidding, right? A courtesy? Do you think they're doing those things to be swell buddies? You do realize they make money by employing these tactics, right?

    That's my point. They're wanting to make money.... Not give stuff out for free. If they choose to offer a discount, that's on them. You shouldn't expect it, it's not required.

    And the idea that, "Oh, it's only a couple if cents they can take the hit." Where does that stop? How much could a tea bag cost? Why should you pay for your iced tea at all? There is only a little butter on my toast... Why should I have to pay for the butter? You mean I have to PAY for the lettuce, tomato and onion on my sandwich?
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