Still / Sparkling Water
Mar 11, 2020 | 5:44 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Accor Gold, OW Emerald, SIXT Diamond
Posts: 958
Still / Sparkling Water
Did a search but surprisingly (or I'm just bad at this) did not find a thread discussing this.
Would you order Still or Sparkling water when "normal" (free) water is available ?
Most high end restaurants would offer this option as part of the bill, but anything less than a Michelin Star would tend to bottled water on as an un-named extra. It's something I find petty, especially when it's the first thing the wait staff ask when passing out the menus.
Probably sounding cheap here, but personally I'd ask the charges for the water as I'd prefer to know beforehand if it's complimentary or otherwise. Definitely would go for sparkling if it's part of the bill otherwise just plain "normal" water is fine.
Rather place the "savings" from the water into the tip than buying something I do not value ?
Would you order Still or Sparkling water when "normal" (free) water is available ?
Most high end restaurants would offer this option as part of the bill, but anything less than a Michelin Star would tend to bottled water on as an un-named extra. It's something I find petty, especially when it's the first thing the wait staff ask when passing out the menus.
Probably sounding cheap here, but personally I'd ask the charges for the water as I'd prefer to know beforehand if it's complimentary or otherwise. Definitely would go for sparkling if it's part of the bill otherwise just plain "normal" water is fine.
Rather place the "savings" from the water into the tip than buying something I do not value ?
Mar 11, 2020 | 10:21 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Alaska MVP, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 4,509
I don't find value in bottled water, so I prefer the free stuff. I'm drinking wine or beer, I still want water, and don't want to pay for multiple beverages. If I'm drinking just water, I might end up with two 1L bottles just for myself. No thanks, just the complimentary/tap please!
I have never asked the price of the water, I assume a bottle incurs a fee and just go right to "tap please".
I have never asked the price of the water, I assume a bottle incurs a fee and just go right to "tap please".
Mar 11, 2020 | 12:20 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA Plat, MM *G for life, AY Plat, BA Silver
Posts: 10,536
I can't see what's wrong with a restaurant charging for a branded water which they have to pay for. All restaurants, at least here, are required by law to offer free tap water. Many will also offer free water which has been run through a machine to make it fizzy. But if I want Badoit or whatever, I'd ask for it and be quite happy paying.
Mar 11, 2020 | 3:02 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,771
If I want still water I am always happy to specify that tap water is OK.
If I want fizzy water at a fancy restaurant I ask for sparkling water and know they'll bring a bottle of Pellegrino or whatever. If I want fizzy water at a nonfancy restaurant, I ask for club soda with lime.
I'm not sure what OP's beef is...it seems to be that restaurants would dare charge for bottled water (which they have to pay for too). If I'm at a fancy restaurant I don't worry about the $10 or whatever outrageous price they charge for a bottle of water. I'm spending many times that on the food!
If I want fizzy water at a fancy restaurant I ask for sparkling water and know they'll bring a bottle of Pellegrino or whatever. If I want fizzy water at a nonfancy restaurant, I ask for club soda with lime.
I'm not sure what OP's beef is...it seems to be that restaurants would dare charge for bottled water (which they have to pay for too). If I'm at a fancy restaurant I don't worry about the $10 or whatever outrageous price they charge for a bottle of water. I'm spending many times that on the food!