Water, water in all places however not a drop at no cost.
One of my pet peeves when eating out is listening to, “We do not serve plain water.” While the price of bottled water isn’t prohibitive, it irks me to be compelled to purchase one thing that was all the time a complimentary a part of the restaurant or cafe expertise till fairly not too long ago.
Why eating places cost for water
Among the most typical responses from enterprise homeowners is that they’re responding to will increase in their very own prices. Factors equivalent to escalating rental costs, utilities prices, water system upkeep fees and manpower are steadily cited as the primary causes.
Some enterprise operators additionally really feel that diners are inclined to waste water when they don’t pay for it. That could also be a sound level— I’m certain we are able to all agree that we usually tend to end a bought carbonated drink than a complimentary glass of plain water.
Unintended penalties
The unintended consequence of the change is that diners could also be motivated to go for sugary drinks as a substitute. That method appears to make financial sense— why pay S$1 for water from the faucet when you might simply spend a bit of bit extra and benefit from the icy chilly sweetness of a mushy drink?
It’s one thing that’s inevitably already contributing to the weight problems epidemic and the rising diabetes disaster. In a way, it is usually unfair to those that undergo from diabetes as they’re compelled to buy their solely wholesome possibility.
Making sense of all of it
I attempt to step into the footwear of the individuals on either side, reasonably than view issues via the lens of the companies concerned.
Using that perspective, I can perceive the logic behind workers fatigue. It might be irritating, particularly throughout peak hours, to have each desk asking for water refills. Diners are prone to make do with one glass (of water or different drink) if they’ve to purchase it.
As for the argument that washing the glasses have to be factored into the dialogue, I ponder how far that may go. Will eating places now begin to cost us for cutlery as effectively, since forks, knives and spoons additionally undergo the dishwasher?
Possible alternate options
Perhaps a greater method could also be to have self-service water dispensers at eating places. That would eradicate the difficulty of ‘burdening’ workers with requests for water. Another possibility can be to permit diners to deliver their very own water if they want.
Chief Foodie, Seth says he likes the concept of a “free flow of water if you order a drink from the menu”. That manner, the price and burden of offering plain water is offset by the revenue to the enterprise. It is sensible.
In the meantime, do you assume an inventory of eateries which serve water freed from value and people which cost can be useful for you?
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