I'd like a refill please...

Steve Ridges · 07-23-2003, 01:03 PM

Ok. This is a big pet peeve of mine. Why is it that when you go to a restaurant and order water with your meal, it almost impossible to get your server to refill your glass?!? They simply ignore you. If you order other drinks such as coffee, it's almost impossible to empty your cup before they're there with a refill. This happens at just about every restaurant I've been to. It's really annoying. If its a cost issue, fine. Charge me for a coffee. I'd gladly pay to get the kind of service coffee drinkers do.

Ted Lee · 07-23-2003, 01:09 PM

yeah, i've run into that problem too. not all the time, but definitely some of the time.

my guess is that water doesn't add to the bill, so the waiter ends up not getting as much of a tip???

however, most of the restaurants i go to usually have a bus-boy (or someone similar) who walks around specifically for filling up water glasses (or ice tea) - so it hasn't really bugged me too much.

i say if you're not getting the kind of service you want, show it when you leave your tip. if we get really great service my girlfriend will sometimes write something nice on the receipt. maybe you could do the same, but in the negative?

Philip_G · 07-23-2003, 04:06 PM

same problem here. I drink a lot of water with a meal, 2-3 glasses isn't a problem, more if it's spicy

BrettB · 07-23-2003, 04:25 PM

My guess is that the majority of people drink coffee, tea, whatever, and only a small minority of people drink water so it's just sort of out of the ordinary.

Perhaps you could explain the situation, very politely, to your waiter when he/she first takes your order.

Tony Whalen · 07-23-2003, 04:40 PM

*IF* I have water with a meal it's usually ALL I'm having to drink, so I'll usually ask if I can have a jug/carafe. If, for some reason, I can't, then they'd better be by the table often enough to fill me up.

I'm not even going to get in to the whole tipping thing. We've talked about that enough 'round here.

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Chris Lockwood · 07-23-2003, 05:37 PM

> 2-3 glasses isn't a problem, more if it's spicy

You like spicy water? :b

MikeAlletto · 07-23-2003, 06:33 PM

I never have that problem and I eat out a ton. It must be the places you go to.

Henry Gale · 07-23-2003, 06:53 PM

Steve,
Are you being up front with your server about your H2O expectations?
I think you are an exception, most people probably don't get more water, but there is nothing wrong with wanting more, you just need to be clear.
As someone else suggested, ask for a pitcher. I can tell you from my ice tea needs that they will:
1) Bring you a pitcher.
2) Refuse, but tell you they'll keep an eye on your glass.
3) Ask you to leave.
This does relate to tipping of course, unlike the food which comes out of the kitchen, water is pretty much in the waitpersons control so I would start deducting percentages if it's not forthcoming.

ThomasC · 07-23-2003, 07:04 PM

Quote:

I can tell you from my ice tea needs that they will:
3) Ask you to leave.

That's a bit extreme, isn't it? I would understand if they said no and you started raising a fuss about it, but just ASKING for a pitcher?

Steve Ridges · 07-23-2003, 07:15 PM

I'll try to be more upfront with my expectations next time. I just assumed that the server would be watching my glass just like everyone elses and when they see it's empty, come and ask if I'd like a refill. Do you coffee and ice tea drinkers have to specify that you will probably be wanting a refill?

The other day I was out to luch with a friend at a nice resturant. He had ice tea and I had water. Both of our glasses were empty. The waitress brought him another glass without having to be asked and left my glass untouched. I finally had to ask for a refill. What is up with that??