Originally Posted by Grog

If you make the argument for sodas, the next person will make the argument for beer and wine. If they make the argument for beer and wine, the next person will make the argument for rum and gin.

What if the craving was for premium nuts at lunchtime? or for hors d'oeuvres at dinnertime in the restaurant?

I agree with the assessment of your actions being a bit rude and fully entitled. You admitted from the start that you've universally been charged for sodas at breakfast. But, knowing this, you still tried to sneak one instead of asking (admit it to yourself, you did) and got busted. Most of us have done similar at some point, and it hurts to get busted. But, while that's an ego bruiser, it should be considered a wake-up call (to either wake up to or to just tap snooze to) rather than a reason to argue with hotel employees.

You ask, "Am I to pre-emptively go to the lounge breakfast purely to grab a soda prior to heading down to the restaurant breakfast going forward?" Yes, if you drink it in the lounge, too. Otherwise you're just asking for the next conflict situation.

As previously mentioned, asking kindly may have gotten you somewhere.