The place to ask China-related questions!
Beijing Shanghai Guangzhou Shenzhen Chengdu Xi'an Hangzhou Qingdao Dalian Suzhou Nanjing More Cities>>

Categories

Close
Welcome to eChinacities Answers! Please or register if you wish to join conversations or ask questions relating to life in China. For help, click here.
X

Verify email

Your verification code has been sent to:

Didn`t receive your code? Resend code

By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .

Sign up with Google Sign up with Facebook
Sign up with Email Already have an account? .
Posts: 105

Governor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Q: Why do so many expat restaurants in China charge for water?

Considering the prices they're already getting out of us, it always sets my teeth grinding. Table water should be free. Period.

No, I don't need icecubes in it. No, I don't need any lemon zest crap. Just plain water.

12 years 6 weeks ago in  Food  - China

 
Answers (5)
Comments (0)
Posts: 3025

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I have been to many restaurants in China for the last 15 years.  On all, if I order a bottle of water, I must pay for it.  If water is served from apitcher with lemon slices in, it is free.  If you are charged for it, and it bothers you,  start looking for a new restaurant to patronze.

Maybe in a way it is like those  packages of facial tissues they place on the table and charge you 2 Rmb for each.  Since I do always carry a few on my shoulder bag, I always decline them, and check the bill afterwards to insure they are not included. 

Maybe you should start bringing your own bottle of wate to that restaurant and see if they get the message......wink

Report Abuse
12 years 6 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1084

Shifu

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Start drinking beer.

Report Abuse
12 years 6 weeks ago
 
Posts: 2604

Shifu

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

I'm not sure if they do charge you. The restaurants that I have been to only charge you for bottled water. The water in the glass should be free. For some reason they don't like to give you free refills either. The only place that I have gotten a free refill was at subway and that was because the soda fountain was out near the customers. Even then they only want you to take one free refill which I don't mind. 

Report Abuse
12 years 6 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1318

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Because it's an "expat restaurant."  Laowai are all rich so charging for water shouldn't matter to them.  And for the locals that eat there, it's a "fancy" place to be able to show off eating there.  So paying for water for water is just seen as part of the showing off experience.

Just stop eating there.  Find you a few hole-in-the-wall places.  They offer great flavor and so much cheaper.

Report Abuse
12 years 6 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1932

Emperor

0
0
You must be a registered user to vote!
You must be a registered user to vote!
0

Charging for water is classy.

Report Abuse
12 years 6 weeks ago
 
Know the answer ?
Please or register to post answer.

Report Abuse

Security Code: * Enter the text diplayed in the box below
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <img> <br> <p> <u>
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Textual smileys will be replaced with graphical ones.

More information about formatting options

Forward Question

Answer of the DayMORE >>
A:  "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "S
A: "... through ..."?  Only "through" comes to mind is "Shenzhen agent can connect you with an employer, who's authorized to hire waigouren ... and can sponsor Z visa." It's not like every 10th person you meet in Shenzhen's hood can sponsor work visa ...  The only way to change from student to labourer visa is just a regular way by: 1. Finding an employer, who'll apply for an Invitation letter; 2. Exit China and apply for Z visa in your home country's Chinese embassy; 3. Enter China in 30-days after Z visa was stamped into your travelling instrument ...As I am aware, you won't be able to switch to Working permit by remaining in China....,so make ready for a return to your home .... -- icnif77