Why are Europeans so stingy about water/soda?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Just for the record, when I went to Europe I had no trouble getting water.

 

[Scarpozzi]

1. Eat only in restaurants with old-school toilets with tanks.
2. Take cup into bathroom
3. Remove lid from toilet tank.
4. ?????
5. PROFIT!!!

 

[LS20]

norwegians love to serve water in little snifter glasses... cant be more than 3 or 4oz at a time. quite annoying.

 

[TechnoPro]

Playing armchair nutritionist here, the mere fact that serving sizes are smaller and refills are not free might be some of the factors that keep Europeans thinner than their American counterpart. I grew up in Europe so the mini Coke bottles never phased me, but they sure do contrast well with a SuperSize McDonald's Coke.

 

[SpecialEd]

North America has the largest supply of clean fresh water on the planet.

In other places, supply is less and cost of treatment is more. You do the math.

 

[uberman]

Their primary motivation for trying to divert you to mineral water rather than tap water is most likely greed. At friends homes in Germany they'd try to offer me mineral water rather than tap water. I guess it's just custom.

The water thing falls in line with other customs that they have. Here in the states, we have unlimited refills on coffee. Europe pay by the cup. Ice water is traditional here, not there. We have $.99 hamburgers here, not in Europe. Last time, I returned from Europe I bought 2 Jumbo Jacks on the way home for $2.00. That would never happen in Europe, where I'd likely pay $7.00 for one hamburger.

 

[chambersc]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: akshatp
If you go to any McD/BK in Europe and want a refill, demand one from the manager. McD's claims they offer free refills at all of their restaurants worldwide. Tell the manager it says this on the corporate website and you will get your free refill of your "large" drink (which is the equivalent of our small)

But if you do this...then you'll be the stereotypical ignorant "ugly American."

Personally, I'd rather spend another $1 and buy a refill than fulfill the stereotype.

Well, that's your own shortcoming now isn't it. If Asserting your rights (in this sense getting what you've payed for) is being an "ugly American" then :music: I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free :music:

 

[ranmaniac]

You also pay for ketchup packets. I can live without eating American fast food while in the UK, as the fish & chips shops are better than what I can get here in the states.
I was in Spain for two weeks, eating nothing but home cooked pasta, and Burger King never looked so good when our family happened to find one.

It's not that everything is smaller in Europe, but that everything is so outrageously huge here in the US. I made the mistake of supersizing at McDonalds once, and my cup holders weren't big enough to secure it.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Some additional Questions:

Why is it that in the states, everyone assumes I want my pop cold, so they put ice in it without even asking?
Why is it that in the states, some restaurants don't even serve beer, and those that do usually only serve a small list of options, and even then, those rare few that carry several good ales, ALWAYS serve their ale ice cold, rather then "cellar temperature" like it should be?
Why is is that in the states, they always serve water in a lot of places, even if you don't want any water? That seems like a waste of water!

 

[dullard]

I had all the same complaints about Germany. I stayed there for an entire summer a few years back.

$3 to $4 for ~8 oz of Coke, no refills, no ice, and no water (except the disgusting and expensive sparkling water) at any of the dozens of restaurants I ate at. I mentioned it to some of my friends there and they all said they were strongly warned against drinking at a meal when they were children. I guess there is an old-wives tale there saying that drinking at a meal makes you sick. There is some partial truth there, the water in many areas of Europe is not as pure or as clean as we have here. So, historically the choice was contaminated water or beer. Either way, you could get sick. But times have changed, and clean alternatives are available, but the old-wives tale lives on. Most people there didn't have any drink at all during a meal.

I guess one benefit of their no liquid ideal is that it keeps you thin. I can only eat a little bit without a drink. Thus, if you can't drink at a meal, all of your meals will be tiny.

But why are the people here eating at McDonald's in Europe? That is just wrong. You travel to another country to experience the country and instead you eat at an American place (and the worst possible American place at that).

 

[chambersc]

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
Some additional Questions:

Why is it that in the states, everyone assumes I want my pop cold, so they put ice in it without even asking?
Why is it that in the states, some restaurants don't even serve beer, and those that do usually only serve a small list of options, and even then, those rare few that carry several good ales, ALWAYS serve their ale ice cold, rather then "cellar temperature" like it should be?
Why is is that in the states, they always serve water in a lot of places, even if you don't want any water? That seems like a waste of water!

1) They don't care how you want your "pop," it saves them money to give you a lot of ice and a little soda.

2) Liquor licenses are HELLA expensive and some beers don't sell. Thus, it's profitable for the business (that's all we care about it profits, btw) to only sell the alcohol that sells.

3) Water prevents you from consuming too much of x (x = alcohol, food, other drinks, or other food stuffs). It will get you out quicker so they can make more money off of you.

The business of business is money.

 

[davestar]

Originally posted by: chambersc

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
Some additional Questions:

Why is it that in the states, everyone assumes I want my pop cold, so they put ice in it without even asking?
Why is it that in the states, some restaurants don't even serve beer, and those that do usually only serve a small list of options, and even then, those rare few that carry several good ales, ALWAYS serve their ale ice cold, rather then "cellar temperature" like it should be?
Why is is that in the states, they always serve water in a lot of places, even if you don't want any water? That seems like a waste of water!

1) They don't care how you want your "pop," it saves them money to give you a lot of ice and a little soda.

2) Liquor licenses are HELLA expensive and some beers don't sell. Thus, it's profitable for the business (that's all we care about it profits, btw) to only sell the alcohol that sells.

3) Water prevents you from consuming too much of x (x = alcohol, food, other drinks, or other food stuffs). It will get you out quicker so they can make more money off of you.

The business of business is money.

count on ATOT to answer all of your rhetorical questions.

 

[Grabo]

Well, in Sweden, as well as Ireland (where I'm currently working), you can usually get a free glass of water if you ask for it. I mean, you say 'just water please' or 'a glass of water please', you don't say 'free water please', and most of the time it's free. Sometimes it isn't, but I'd consider that darn sneaky, unless they brought bottled water, which always costs (and so isn't worth it, tastewise or otherwise, in either of these places, but anyway)

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Europeans don't have a need to drink 64 oz. of soda in one sitting.

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: dullard
I had all the same complaints about Germany. I stayed there for an entire summer a few years back.

$3 to $4 for ~8 oz of Coke, no refills, no ice, and no water (except the disgusting and expensive sparkling water) at any of the dozens of restaurants I ate at. I mentioned it to some of my friends there and they all said they were strongly warned against drinking at a meal when they were children. I guess there is an old-wives tale there saying that drinking at a meal makes you sick. There is some partial truth there, the water in many areas of Europe is not as pure or as clean as we have here. So, historically the choice was contaminated water or beer. Either way, you could get sick. But times have changed, and clean alternatives are available, but the old-wives tale lives on. Most people there didn't have any drink at all during a meal.

I guess one benefit of their no liquid ideal is that it keeps you thin. I can only eat a little bit without a drink. Thus, if you can't drink at a meal, all of your meals will be tiny.

But why are the people here eating at McDonald's in Europe? That is just wrong. You travel to another country to experience the country and instead you eat at an American place (and the worst possible American place at that).

I think it works the other way..if you have a large glass of water before eating that'll fill your stomach up causing you to eat less.

And when you're a poor college graduate in Europe for 6 weeks you're bound to fall into what is familiar, cheap, and available.

 

[EKKC]

because ze frenchies smells bad

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Amol
...There's a spider in my drink.

Yeah and no refills on spiders.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: uberman
Their primary motivation for trying to divert you to mineral water rather than tap water is most likely greed. At friends homes in Germany they'd try to offer me mineral water rather than tap water. I guess it's just custom.

so it is custom and greed? What aspect of greed motivates a host to offer your bottled water?

 

[WobbleWobble]

b) soda refills at fast-food places. Fountain machines are usually behind the counter, unlike most places here where you fill your own drink up. Also medium/larges are equivalent to small/mediums over here.

Most fast-food places are like this in Canada and have the fountain machines behind the counter. The main exceptions are Subway/Quiznos, but often they're not free refills. I also believe the size of our fries at McDonalds are considerably smaller than American McDonalds.

 

[Martin]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble

b) soda refills at fast-food places. Fountain machines are usually behind the counter, unlike most places here where you fill your own drink up. Also medium/larges are equivalent to small/mediums over here.

Most fast-food places are like this in Canada and have the fountain machines behind the counter. The main exceptions are Subway/Quiznos, but often they're not free refills. I also believe the size of our fries at McDonalds are considerably smaller than American McDonalds.

Yep, I was just going to say that the free refill thing is almost exclusively American. Very few places around here have free refills.

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble

b) soda refills at fast-food places. Fountain machines are usually behind the counter, unlike most places here where you fill your own drink up. Also medium/larges are equivalent to small/mediums over here.

Most fast-food places are like this in Canada and have the fountain machines behind the counter. The main exceptions are Subway/Quiznos, but often they're not free refills. I also believe the size of our fries at McDonalds are considerably smaller than American McDonalds.

Yeah actually the Subway's I went to in England and Germany had fountain machines on the outside. Though there was a sign that said "free refill", as in a single refill above it..

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: Syringer
a) water for free. Those that do make a big deal out it, like you were getting free beer with your meal or something..and even then it's only a cup/bottle, with no refills.

Occasionally true, but it depends where you are. For example a classy place will assume you mean bottled water unless you ask for 'tap water', but a little curry house will just give you a pitcher of tap water with ice automatically. And in France it's expected that you drink wine with your meal, and no water, so they might think it weird if you ask for it.

b) soda refills at fast-food places. Fountain machines are usually behind the counter, unlike most places here where you fill your own drink up. Also medium/larges are equivalent to small/mediums over here.

People don't drink so much soda. They are also thinner...

c) ice with your beverages. Usually it'll be touristy places that'll fill your drink with ice, but otherwise you're stuck with warm soda/water.

This is a good thing. Ask for ice and you get ice, but it's not normal to assume you want ice, because some places (most places in USA it seems) fill your glass with ice just so they don't have to use so much drink - thereby ripping you off. Ice is cheaper than drink.

 

[MrDingleDangle]

Originally posted by: BillyBatson
I know it is strange, does the rest of the world not get thirsty when they eat?!?!

My friends gf is Peruvian and though she is born here her parents are born in Peru. i HATE eating at their house!!!!! They make a lot of food and a lot of the time most of the dishes are spicey. Here is the odd thing though, you so NOT drink while you eat! You are not allowed to have glasses/cups on the table and no drinking liquid of any kind is allowed not even beer or wine. You eat your food and once you are done you are allowed to drink as much of anything as you like. It is tradition and they told me it is like that in peru. After discussing it with my friend and his gf the main reason as i came to understand it is that you do not drink liquids because it fills you up, so you eat only and fill yourself up with real food and once full you can drink.

This is so true for my taiwanese girlfriend and her friends...when I go out with them to a chinese restaurant, if there is no water on the table I go through about 10 of those small cups of tea before anyone finishes their first. I have no clue how people can eat so much food and not drink. She tells me that they get their liquids from the soups with dinner, but usually their soups are really salty. They are also brought up without being allowed to drink much with meals

I don't get it at all.

 

[Kelnoen]

Originally posted by: Syringer
Based on my experiences in dining in Europe, I found that few, if any restaurants offer:

a) water for free. Those that do make a big deal out it, like you were getting free beer with your meal or something..and even then it's only a cup/bottle, with no refills.
b) soda refills at fast-food places. Fountain machines are usually behind the counter, unlike most places here where you fill your own drink up. Also medium/larges are equivalent to small/mediums over here.
c) ice with your beverages. Usually it'll be touristy places that'll fill your drink with ice, but otherwise you're stuck with warm soda/water.

Even at a buffet place I went to in Barcelona, where you can eat all you want, you only get one refill with your drink, otherwise you pay extra.

Same with the clothes huh

 

[FoBoT]

yup, i learned to order a bottle (or 2-3 since they are only like 200 ml bottles) of the fizzy water with my meals