Water is my favourite drink, I drink loads of it throughout the day. I’m quite happy to drink tap water in restaurants too, 
except I get the feeling it is frowned upon by waiters who cannot then charge for it. My husband hates asking for it, he feels embarrassed, so I usually have to.
I always like a jug of iced water on my table with wine when eating out. I prefer still water, but will order fizzy in a bar as an alterantive to an alcoholic drink if I am driving or thirsty, my favourite being San Pelligrino as it is not too bubbly.
Newsnight last night asked if we were snobs when it comes to asking for tap water. It seems that New Yorkers are being urged to switch to tap water because four out of five plastic water bottles end up in landfill sites, their environmental consciences are being stirred to take action.
I’ve just read a comment on the Newsnight site where somebody describes asking for “house water” instead of tap water in a restaurant. That seems a good idea, I shall try it next time and hope they know what I am talking about.
Another person describes asking for tap water to take with tablets if the waiter raises his eyebrows. I must admit I have done this too when with my mother as that is usually the case and it seems a face saving way of asking. But should we feel, or be made to feel, so awkward about it?
I always have two two-litre bottles of tap water chilling in my fridge,I love it, I don’t think we drink enough water, that we are often dehydrated throughout the day.
But what about you, how do you feel about asking for tap water in restaurants? Should we feel intimated about it?
I don’t feel intimidated at all by it, and you are right, people don’t drink it enough. I guess I would be considered a water snob because I will only drink bottled water. The city water we have here is loaded with chemicals that you can taste. It is awful.
Of course the bottled water industry (like fashion) is a gargantuan waste of natural resources – and money. Think of the fuel dedicated to transporting it around.
…but then you can do your bit for the environment and at the same time choose something which is cool, crisp, satisfying and thirst quenching and which at at 4% vol might get you drunk too.
Choose Carlsberg. Probably the best lager in the World…
Sponsors of Electro-Kevin
Well, I probably am a water snob: I always drank mineral water in the UK and, of course, everybody does here, not, as is commonly supposed, because the tapwater isn’t drinkable – it is – but simply because we prefer the taste. Btw, mineral water is cheap here: €1.50 for 6 x 2-litre bottles.
Tap water is plenty good enough for me – when I have forgotten to get a replacement case of McEwan’s Export from the Cash’n’Carry.
Kevin, Sorry to hear that your blog has come to a sticky end, but glad you are visiting here.
I’m sure you and Maalie would like your favourite tipple on tap!
Welshcakes, I know you have difficulties with your water supply in Sicily, I don’t suppose tap water is an option where you are. What about those plastic bottles though, where do they end up?
[…] it is overrated. No Comments so far Leave a comment RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI Leave a comment Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTMLallowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong> […]
One think I still can’t get my favourite coffe shop to do, is automatically offer a glass of water to go with my espresso (or coffee).
Seems they too have been told by management to only serve ‘bottled’ water that can be charged for.
However instead of having my water hot in a mug with my coffee, I like my coffee espresso – and my water ‘cold’ in a separate glass
Fortunately most waiters & waitresses at said establishment are cool, and are always happy to oblige – so I haven’t had to change establishments. I shall continue to use it as my Third Place, as long as the water flows.
PS – We should drink 2 litres of water a day, preferably with less of all the additives and colourants, bubbles and sugars we become addicted to in (from) childhood. Naughty Mamas!
Q9, I agree, I like to drink a glass of water with my coffee too. Strange to enjoy a hot and cold drink simultaneously.
We don’t have this problem in North America, almost as soon as you sit down you get water with lots of ice. The problem is getting water without ice, if that’s what you want.
My favourite is also San Pelligrino, I loathe Perrier. But tap water is fine with me too.
Plastic bottle pollution is just horrendous, everywhere I run, all I see is discarded plastic water bottles. I no longer buy bottled water as a personal stand against this trashing of our environment, I use a Hydropal instead, which allows me to drink filtered tap water wherever I am, I got my hydropal from http://www.hydropal.com.au, regards
Hi Elle, I think the custom in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean of serving a glass of water had a twofold purpose:
1) To taste the espresso coffee or ‘morroccan tea’ intense & thick (with or without sugar), and to rinse or refresh the mouth after with the water, and
2) Simply because on a hot day or hot summer, you may still want to enjoy your coffee (or tea) but you need a glass of cold water to cool down
And of course lager, beer and even guinness must be served chilled on a hot summer day – luke warm beer & ale belongs to the dark ages and cold winters.
Q9
Caffe’ Vergnano (Charing + Rd.) would not dream of giving you an espresso without a glass of water, and a little choc, and a tray. The coffee is perfection. Well worth a visit if you are in that neck of the smokey woods.
I would never pay for bottled water in the UK unless I was somewhere I couldn’t get tap water – like a train, for example.
Bottled water is a complete con.
Quasar – British ale loses its flavour if it is chilled. But it should not be served warm either. It’s ideal temperature is around 12C – the temperature of a cold cellar.
Thanks Steve,
it is not that I do not enjoy the occasional pint of real ale, it is that in real hot summers and real hot weather I prefer chilled lager or ice cold soft drinks
Quasar – it has to be really good lager to drink in preference over real ale, IMHO.
But then again, I’m a beer geek.
In proper food orientated countries, like Spain, wine and water are provided.