Places that don’t give you free water

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Encountered my first one today it was a casual coffee/sandwich place with seating. Is this a thing nowadays?

Did they charge you for tap water in a washable cup or did they charge you for tap water in a disposable cup? For some reason, some places charge a cup fee for a disposable cup but not a washing fee for a regular non to go type cup.

Nope, they refused to give us tap water and pointed us to the bottled water in the refrigerated case.

So buy a water. You can afford to eat out, you can afford a bottle of water.

Stop rolling your eyes. Grow up. Tap water is free, and they don't deserve any further business if this is how they operate.

OP: Where?

I am with you. People who buy "fancy" bottled water are suckers/saps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm used to this from living in Europe, now in SF. The free refills on tea, water and soda are so nice here! I agree with PP who said bottled water sales is probably a way to increase their small profit margin in this struggling economy. Where I lived in Germany, people didn't drink tap water. It was perfectly safe but just not something people did.

I know, I was just in Europe and so missed a free coffee refill with my breakfast each morning!

In Australia, they charge you for ketchup packets. My teenage daughter nearly bankrupted me with that every time she ordered fries!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here to clarify a couple of points.

This is Simply Social in Vienna. https://simplysocialcoffee.com/
I am not sure what the capacity is, it’s not huge but not super small either. It has tables inside and seating outside as well. We ordered three sandwiches (2 to eat there and one to take home) and a pastry. I had my kids in tow, one got thirsty and wanted a cup of water. We did not ask them to fill our personal cup/bottle. This hasn’t happened before in any place, so no this was a new to us. No, there wasn’t a long line.

The most benign explanation is that they are code-compliant and can seat less than 15 people. As far as I am concerned, there is nothing particularly special about their menu that will make us visit again. Their refusal to give water seems silly to me.

I would not return, and spell the reason out in your review on Trip Advisor.

They will learn. Penny wise, pound foolish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Restaurant owner here. Can be a number of reasons. We do give our free water at my cafe locations but I can see why others don't. Don't waste my employees' time asking for (often multiple) free waters. If water is set out, there's so much maintenance and clean up. Customers are sloppy. Cups, like the actual plastic/compostable ones, are expensive so it's can add up. And it's a health choice violation to fill a customer's own water bottle ( but ice seen that happen)

Several other Google reviews mention the lack of water. Contrary to what you state, the owner says they fill up reusable bottles. So looks like either they don’t know what the code or you are wrong.

“We are in a midst of supply shortages and increase paid of all products including plastic cups. We don't use glass nor ceramic because of labor shortage. so yes it's the perfect storm. If you brought your own reusable bottle, we would have been happy to fill it with our filtered water.“

For someone who owns a cafe, you seem very opposed to the idea of customer service or customers. But I bet you have a screen that asks for a 15-20% tip for counter-service and grumble when folk don’t tip.

Good point. I am sick of those screens, when I am picking up take out food. The person stares at you the whole time.

[Anonymous]

I remember being shocked when I first went to Europe that they charge you more if you sit down/use a chair. (Higher prices for the same food, when you dine in. That is common in several countries.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember being shocked when I first went to Europe that they charge you more if you sit down/use a chair. (Higher prices for the same food, when you dine in. That is common in several countries.)

yep. Several call it the "cover charge" on the bill. I'm okay with it as I'm just SO happy I don't have to tip. Whereas here in the US they expect you to tip the same on both dine in and dine out- nope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We usually only drink water with meals and I do not wsnt to contribute to plastic bottle waste so I would not patronize any place who wouldn't give me a cup of water with my purchased food.

Different situation. PPs are asking if OP's a customer and bought food but OP doesn't want to answer. Makes it sound like they're just waking in asking for water

Why don’t you read before embarrassing yourself?

[Anonymous]

OP you're still stewing about this? Saw your question in Tom Sietsema's restaurant chat today.

[Anonymous]

Sietsema agrees with OP.

[Anonymous]

Sweet green in Rockville does not provide tap water. I asked why (I had just walked 20 mins on a 90+ degree day) and they said they want people to buy their water. Which of course is $4.

They even have a tap water dispenser behind the register that they won’t use!

I no longer go there because I always walk there, I don’t want to carry a water bottle and I don’t want to pay $4

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP you're still stewing about this? Saw your question in Tom Sietsema's restaurant chat today.

Can you post what it says. It’s behind a paywall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sweet green in Rockville does not provide tap water. I asked why (I had just walked 20 mins on a 90+ degree day) and they said they want people to buy their water. Which of course is $4.

They even have a tap water dispenser behind the register that they won’t use!

I no longer go there because I always walk there, I don’t want to carry a water bottle and I don’t want to pay $4

The one in Arlington used at least pre-pandemic. Not sure if they do now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sweet green in Rockville does not provide tap water. I asked why (I had just walked 20 mins on a 90+ degree day) and they said they want people to buy their water. Which of course is $4.

They even have a tap water dispenser behind the register that they won’t use!

I no longer go there because I always walk there, I don’t want to carry a water bottle and I don’t want to pay $4

Thanks for the information, will avoid this place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP you're still stewing about this? Saw your question in Tom Sietsema's restaurant chat today.

Can you post what it says. It’s behind a paywall.

I don’t think it’s bad that they’re asking. It’s not a common practice and now there are two restaurants that are doing this? People will avoid those.

[Anonymous]

I can see why you would be annoyed, but the restaurant needs to pay rent, water, electricity, buy the cups, clean the cups, etc. Its easy to think of it as free but its simply not.

As someone who is trying to watch what I consume, I order fewer and fewer sodas, juices, cocktails etc - maybe more people are doing the same and the margins are getting even tighter. I personally prefer when restaurants have a communal jug with those teeny tiny cups. It gives me water if I need it but signals to me "hey buddy, if you are that thirsty, buy the bottle."