Won't offer tap water??
May 24, 2013 | 8:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: London
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Posts: 210
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...
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...
May 24, 2013 | 2:53 pm
#3
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May 24, 2013 | 4:22 pm
#4
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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.
May 24, 2013 | 6:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
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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.
Still annoys me, but this is not an unusual thing. FRA Sheraton is a surprise though.
May 24, 2013 | 7:41 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Denver
Posts: 2,396
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.
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.
May 25, 2013 | 1:11 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ORD
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May 25, 2013 | 3:16 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HEL
Programs: SAS Gold, LH Senator, AY Silver
Posts: 895
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).
May 26, 2013 | 12:40 pm
#9
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May 26, 2013 | 1:53 pm
#10
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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 have no idea what what the water is like in ibizia. pay the 2 euro and complain. just another FT complainer.
May 28, 2013 | 8:18 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: CPH
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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 have no idea what what the water is like in ibizia. pay the 2 euro and complain. just another FT complainer.
DanishFlyer
May 28, 2013 | 9:09 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,472
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
FDW
May 30, 2013 | 5:24 am
#13
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Join Date: Oct 2002
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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'.
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'.
Jul 18, 2013 | 8:24 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
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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.
Jul 18, 2013 | 9:27 am
#15
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Location: Portland
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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.