Why did restaurants stop serving glasses of water before meals?

Answer 1

A lot of people complain about tap water being served, and restaurants would like to push more expensive bottled water. Also, less dishes for the boys in the back to do.

Answer 2

To make more money? Some people will just drink the water with there meal, and not order an extra drink, so they cant charge you $2 for a .50 cent soda.
Also, drinking water while looking at the menu will make you less hungry, which means they lose money.
Theres no harm in asking for a glass of water before ordering, its actually a great habit, and it will make the waitress leave you alone for a few mins so you have time to look over the menu.

Answer 3

Most restaurants no longer automatically bring water before meals. A few still do, but not many. However, if you want water, they will bring it if you ask. The majority of the restaurants stopped the automatic water service because many people left it on the table without even taking a sip. It was a waste of water and a waste to wash glasses.

Answer 4

It's a matter of water conservation...much of the water was being wasted. It began by waiters/waitresses offering water when you were seated, although they didn't automatically bring it. Now you most frequently have to ask, although most restaurants will bring you a glass of water free of charge. I even recently learned after conserving my money throughout the day at a major theme park that if asked, the counters where food was served also would provide water free of charge. So many do still continue the practice when asked.

Answer 5

A lot of customers at the restaurant I work at request that the waitress take the water away because it takes up space on the table and they do not plan on drinking it. After that happening more often than not, we decided to not put water on the table unless they ask for it. Not to be rude or mean, just the majority of people now days just don't drink water with their meal. They would rather have their soda pop or coffee.

Answer 6

I think it's because a lot of people never drink it. The water is on the table... nice and cool, but people tend to think... I'll save it for the Coke... and then there the ice melts and so to a wasted glass of water. I guess it's to stop wasting water and the time it takes to pour water into every single glass.

Answer 7

Most states are trying to conserve water. They rely on businesses, including restaurants, and consumers to assist in this effort. Restaurants will only bring a glass of water if they are asked.

Answer 8

Probably because many people don't drink it and so it just makes more dishes to wash and raises costs. However, I've never seen a restaurant say that I couldn't have a glass of water when I asked for one. (Although some will bring pricey bottled water and charge you for it.)

Answer 9

I think they stopped serving it as if people drank to much water before a meal they wouldnt eat as much, as they would have the full feeling from the water

Answer 10

I didn't know they stopped. I know a while back when I was a server at Cracker Barrel, they would bring out complimentary bisquits and corn bread before your meal, and we weren't allowed to before we brought them their water. They told us that we couldn't serve them food without a drink first unless they request that they didn't want one. they did this in case the customer had food get stuck a little in thier throat and they would have a drink to wash it down. It made sense to me.