Are US tourists bemused when they come to Europe and find out you don't get free soda/coffee refills?

Answer 1

i'm used to it as i lived in europe. i also don't like to complain.

however the last tour i took, my co-tourists were shocked to find they didn't have sweet tea. we had to break it to them that not only did europe not have sweet tea, but that that was strictly a southern thing (i'm from ca originally). they couldn't even find their beloved tea-flavored sugar water at the airport in wash, dc. i was also used to not having much or any ice.

to the one who said it costs 25 cents for a sode: i used to work at mcdonalds years ago and i was told then (early 90s) that a large soda (32 oz) cost them about 5 cents.

Answer 2

Bemused is not the word I would use. Do you know how it costs to make one soda (at McDonalds, lets say)? Including the syrup, water, cup, lid, straw, and ice it cost MAYBE $.25 per soda. So each time you buy one for approximately $2.50 (in Switzerland) the company makes that much off of you. Surely they could give free refills and not go under as a company. That is the question that should be asked: WHY DON'T THE COMPANIES GIVE FREE REFILLS????

Answer 3

I knew this ahead of time before traveling to Finland, so I thought if it as a good way to drink more water and less soda.

I do not drink soda everyday in the U.S., but as soon as it became a "luxury" due to the much higher cost in Finland, I wanted it all the more. But over the 14 day period, I probably only bought about 6 sodas--the free coffee that came with most meals was awesome though. So in some countries, it is a trade off.

Answer 4

Definitely. Especially in the case of coffee. Americans are also taken aback by being served Nescafe if they have not asked for filtered coffee.
The opposite is true for a visitor to America; the free refill has caused some eyes to widen with surprise. Also a young Turkish friend of mine was amazed and delighted when he not only got free water with his meal, but it had lots of ice in it -- and he didn't even have to ask.

Answer 5

The absence of water fountains and public bathrooms also bothers me.

Answer 6

I dunno, but I would consider it a minor inconvenience. A lot of places in the US charge for refills, so any diner that knows that fancy food is not Applebee's should not be too bothered.

Answer 7

not bemused, but rather ticked off.

I was more bemused when I learned drinks aren't served with ice.

Answer 8

More like 'annoyed'.