Veron Ang's list of restaurants which do not serve free water is not unethical. I empathise with her sitation, as I need water to take my medication too. I've had good service when requesting for it, albeit, being politely informed by some sales staff that I've to pay for it. I am fine with that because I really do need the water. I guess my tolerance level is higher.
The reasons that some eateries on her list give for not serving free water seem ludicrous however. One of them is "our patrons...come...not to taste water. It's the customer with a budget who insists on tap water." Asking for water besides ordering food is not abnormal. Besides, tap water can be drunk, and if the food items are charged at high prices, asking for tap water will offset the bill. A further comment that outside Singapore, "nobody really asks for tap water" was made. There are tourists who do ask actually. Paying for water will incur more expenses for them, and eateries overseas are well aware of their need to budget their finances. On the contrary too, Paris eateries actually provide for free a jug of tap water and even the government is trying to convince Parisians to drink tap water instead of mineral water. Hong Kong people too, ask for free tap water. Tokyo, New York and London are on the list of countries too. London eateries even pass off tap water as mineral water. The staff member of this local eatery is certainly a frog in the well!
A second reason is even more ridiculous. "...manpower is needed to refill and wash the glasses" is exaggerating the mere act of what everyone does in his own kitchen. I note that the owner of an eatery is smart enough to raise the prices of his food items so as to complement the service of free water. He definitely possesses business acumen. I wholeheartedly agree with two opinions of the patrons contacted. Free water is merely part of the service of a restaurant. As it is, service charge is already included in the bill, and to pay additional costs for tap water is not to be condoned. Also, ordering mineral water should only be the last resort, if tap water is unavailable and there is an urgent need for water. Another mentioned that if the water is boiled, a nominal fee can be charged. This does sound reasonable.
Some letters on this issue have been published. Goh Mei Hui mentioned some valid points. If there is a need to have water for medication purposes, it is better to bring one's own. Also, Veron Ang's list should have been verified before being published. I agree with Chan Yiu Lin that there is nothing wrong with asking for tap water, not when we are facing an economic crisis, and also that bottled water is bad for the environment. My dad also gave his opinion on this issue. Tap water may be good per se but the pipe from which it flows out may not be clean. Hmm. I was unaware of the double standards Crystal Jade Kitchen branches practise, till Chua Shuyi mentioned it. The one at Plaza Sing charges for tap water but the one at Holland V does not. What is the logic behind this discrepancy?
A survey on whether bottled water should be banned was carried out, and I do agree with some of the views. If that should take effect, more water coolers have to be installed. Also, that will cause more people to drink bottled sweet drinks, since some people feel psychologically safer when drinking bottled liquids. This act will definitely increase the probability of people contracting diabetes.
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