Via iStockphoto / @annoyedbayou TikTok
Tap water is a common requirement for most restaurants. But some customers are getting caught short with this one easy mistake.
There’s nothing better than crisp water when you’re feeling a little dehydrated. But at a restaurant, knowing which way to order tap water can be a minefield.
It raises an important question: is there really a right way to order water? As one server points out, it’s something to pay attention to, especially when it comes to unintentionally paying for it.
In a TikTok that has garnered 132,000 views, server @annoyedbayou lip-synced a viral Azealia Banks audio with the following on-screen text as context: “When customers are mad I charged them for the still water they asked for when they were given the options of still, sparkling, or tap water.”
In the video description, she added, “Common sense ain’t that common.”
BroBible reached out to the TikToker via TikTok direct message.
Is It Sneaky?
Some commenters weren’t exactly on the TikToker’s side.
“The fact an establishment just can’t serve filtered water is unbelievable,” one wrote. “Take the advice you were given and say up charge because you too can learn something.”
“I went somewhere last week and they asked me if i wanted still, sparkling or ‘Houston’s finest’ so we said still but we later figured out that ‘Houston’s finest’ was tap water” a second shared. “That’s so misleading?”
While a third said, “Idk maybe you could work it better. Like ‘tap or upgrade to still or sparkling.’ While it may be obvious to most its a different charge, many people don’t realize.”
And a fourth remarked that this was “deceptive and evil.”
Others were baffled by fellow commenters.
“These comments are really confusing never have I ever gotten tap confused with still,” a fifth said.
Similarly, a sixth quipped, “People in the comments are just mad they don’t know the difference.”
Is It Wrong To Ask For Tap Water For The Table?
BroBible has reported on navigating what is essentially water ettiquette in the hospitality industry before.
In this case, TikTok user and waiter Angel (@a.victoria__) shared with viewers how a party of 15 threw a spanner in the works after sitting in her section in the restaurant.
Dealing with a large number of people in a restaurant was always going to be a handful, but there was one particular woman that made the experience especially difficult. In this case, she asked for water for the entire table.
She points out that “pouring out 15 waters is going to take me a little second” and then goes on to imitate the customer who said, “Tap! Tap! Can I get like a water, please? I, like, really need a water right now!”
So, Angel stops what she’s doing in order to give the customer her water, but then things get more awkward when the customer asks why she only brought her water and reminded her that the whole table wanted water.
“I know! I’m trying to pour them,” she said, recounting her response.
Based on this TikTok, asking for water in a restaurant isn’t a faux pas—but practicing patience and being respectful in the way you go about it is fundamental.
@annoyedbayou common sense ain’t that common #server