Won't offer tap water??
 

I have recently been refused tap water at my request. In the FRA sheraton and in a hotel restaurant in Ibiza, what gives?

I usually prefer tap water as it's cheaper and more importantly much better for the environment (hauling water around is ridiculous)

yes there are places I won't drink tap water, like China. But is should be my choice...

What was their reason when you asked?

If the water is not safe for drinking, or not approved for drinking, they may not serve it.

The reason was 'hotel policy' didn't think FRA had a tap water issue....

and i have been refused to bring my own tanks in caman, bvi, bonaire, etc. you go to restaurant foo foo, in canine, and order tap water, they will tell you to stuff it. a what is your point.

It's reasonably common in bars and restaurants around the world.

Still annoys me, but this is not an unusual thing. FRA Sheraton is a surprise though.

We don't seem to encounter this as much as in the past, but have certainly found it annoying, particularly since we may not actually consume much water with some meals.

It may sometimes be a matter of how you phrase the request. We've found that we seem to have better luck by saying something like, "Just plain iced water, please" -- nearly always gets us the desired outcome without a lot of fuss (except in places where reliability of municipal water is questionable for non-locals).

This is usually specifically in response to the usual "still or sparkling" query. YMMV.

If by FRA, you mean Frankfurt, then that's just how it is in much of Germany.

No free water. If you want water, it's in a small glass bottle and probably carbonated.

I definitely agree. People drinking bottled water in countries like Finland and Norway (and certainly many more) just shows how idiotic our unsustainable way of life is.

But I don't drink tap water in most countries. Ordered ice water in the USA once and it was simply discusting. Just like all their fountain drinks (because of how strong the water tastes).

What is it you are attemping to communicate to us?

fisrt , this guy's name is a scuba name. i assume he should be ableto relate to the fact that some scuba operations will not let one bring their own tanks. second i do not know what the water is like in germany today, but 30 years ago, one did not use it to brush one's teeth, third, although many more restaurants in the usa are providing tap water, in the past it was bottled or walk. now in italy, there is a thing on the bottom of the check, coperto, or some such. this is bread and bubblie water.

i have no idea what what the water is like in ibizia. pay the 2 euro and complain. just another FT complainer.

I don't know how you travelled in Germany 30 years ago, but certainly in West Germany we drank the tap water on vacation every summer...

DanishFlyer

I have been refused tap water in a number of restaurants in Europe... I don't mind paying 2 euros, but some places were charging 8-10 euros, which is especially galling for a bottle of water that in a market is 1,5 Euro

FDW

I love the fact that in Edinburgh, diners have basically trained restaurants that we will drink tap water in preference to bottled. If we want bottled, we will ask for it. Otherwise, we're good with tap, thank you - which generally tastes good here. Even our recent excursion to one of the best known Michelins, they had a jug of tap water ready to go for those that wanted and offered it without a quibble.

It's just petty on the part of a restaurant to refuse to serve tap water unless they have a good reason (poor quality water), and I'm pretty sure if I encountered an attitude like that, they would get less spend from me, not more. So much for the concept of 'service'.

most of europe it is completely standard to drink bottled water. the paris area is a notable exception where they will gladly bring you tap on request.

The trend here (in California) is to serve filtered tap, which sometimes tastes better than regular tap water but is much more environmentally friendly than bottled. The machines for filtering are not cheap, and many restaurants are adding a couple of dollars as a water service charge to cover the cost, though many are also just providing the water for free. The machines can also add carbonation to the water, and that is also sometimes provided for free. I think it's a great trend.