Restaurants to charge a euro for tap water

c_man

Apparently due to increasing costs to the businesses themselves

Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants' Association of Ireland, says a reasonable charge on tap water is "only fair" as he claims Irish Water has repeatedly "flagged" plans to increase commercial water rates.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/exclusive-restaurants-to-hit-diners-with-1-charge-for-tap-water-34243084.html

So what do we think of this? I thought it was a joke to be honest. Tourism Minister Tourism Minister Paschal Donohoe has come out against this saying it would be bad for our international reputation. I have to agree (those of ye who have worked in the service industry know how... tight, some nationalities can be when visiting her).

AnonoBoy

Follow my handy tips and you can beat this one easily:

First - line your pockets with plastic bags. Then soak some sponges in water at home. Go to the restaurant with the sponges in your pockets.

It's very important to ACT NORMAL at this point. Under no circumstances should you act like a man with wet sponges in his pockets - they'll pick you out a mile away and know what you're up to.

Ask for the expensive wine list to throw them off the scent and then when they're not looking squeeze out your sponge into an empty glass.

Hey presto! FREE water!

For more money saving tips and general advice on awkward penny-pinching subscribe to my blog.

ScumLord

Haven't resturants been paying the water charge for years like every other business? How come it's only an issue now?

It's up to the business, if they want to charge let them charge and see if people are willing to pay it.

BoJack Horseman

This exact story was in the indo last year.

* found it.... http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/customers-shocked-as-pub-charges-20c-for-water-30704372.html
(pub based, but the same sh*t)

biko

Before you order next time, ask if they charge for tap water.
If they do just leave.

Ask when you reserve a table over the phone too. If they do just hang up.

Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants' Association of Ireland, says a reasonable charge on tap water is "only fair"

Fair with a euro? I'll give you a cent and round it down to nothing..

Qualitymark

Back in the 1960s, when kids started drinking 'soda' and eating 'candy', there was a big campaign in the US to put public drinking fountains everywhere by law, so that no one could go thirsty. That was smashed by the sugar industry.

Any restaurant that charges me €1 for a drink of water will get my €1, once - and my custom never again.

This is an utterly greedy and disgusting scam.

AnonoBoy

Qualitymark wrote: »

This is an utterly greedy and disgusting scam.

It's not really a scam though.

If they advertised FREE WATER outside but it turned out that they were charging one euro for the glass to drink the free water out of then it'd be a scam.











Actually that's a good scam - I might try that.

diomed

The Ryanair business model.

Niemoj

Feckin' shambles of a country.

hatrickpatrick

BoJack Horseman wrote: »

This exact story was in the indo last year.

* found it.... http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/customers-shocked-as-pub-charges-20c-for-water-30704372.html
(pub based, but the same sh*t)

That one was actually true, I'm a regular in that particular hotel. Was reversed fairly quickly after social media ridicule.

This is just another example of how FG/Lab policy, while fixing the macro economy, is driving up the cost of living relative to other European countries and making Ireland an unattractive place to visit / live.

Jan Laco

If you can afford an overpriced dinner you can afford a glass of water. Just take it out of the €10 tip.

ohnonotgmail

c_man wrote: »

Apparently due to increasing costs to the businesses themselves

Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants' Association of Ireland, says a reasonable charge on tap water is "only fair" as he claims Irish Water has repeatedly "flagged" plans to increase commercial water rates.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/exclusive-restaurants-to-hit-diners-with-1-charge-for-tap-water-34243084.html

So what do we think of this? I thought it was a joke to be honest. Tourism Minister Tourism Minister Paschal Donohoe has come out against this saying it would be bad for our international reputation. I have to agree (those of ye who have worked in the service industry know how... tight, some nationalities can be when visiting her).

except they havent Introduced it yet and when they do it wont be €1 for 300ml.

ScumLord

Qualitymark wrote: »

Back in the 1960s, when kids started drinking 'soda' and eating 'candy', there was a big campaign in the US to put public drinking fountains everywhere by law, so that no one could go thirsty. That was smashed by the sugar industry.

Any restaurant that charges me €1 for a drink of water will get my €1, once - and my custom never again.

This is an utterly greedy and disgusting scam.

The problem these days is that everything is quantified down to the cent. Years ago people simply didn't know what kind of money they were throwing away. All we see is a jug of water, but the manager probably see's something they're paying money for. Something that's costing them space storing a load of big juggs that give no return. The lack of space could increase their costs as they can't buy enough food to get discounts, or they can't get in a more efficient appliance because they have a corner of the kitch taken up with big water jugs.

As long as the restaurant is upfront about the costs, I don't see a problem. I can always say no, it's not like I'm going to go thirsty. I think restaurants would be better off allowing people to bring in a bottles of water themselves.

c_man

BoJack Horseman wrote: »

This exact story was in the indo last year.

* found it.... http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/customers-shocked-as-pub-charges-20c-for-water-30704372.html
(pub based, but the same sh*t)

It's not the same story... at all. And I put in a link to the Examiner in the OP as well to appease ye.

Duggy747

*Social media causes backlash of water price increase*

"Okay, okay, we're sorry! We'll remove the price!"

*Removes price increase on water*

".................*cough*................"

*Raises price of food*

One euro for a teeny glass you have gone in one gulp? One euro a jug? One euro unlimited water?

sonyvision

Diceys Garden has been charging 20c per glass of Water for a few months now at lunch times.

Carvery is great 5 euro with a student card. Still make it my point not to take a glass of water but fill up my bottle in the office before going in 😊

Sebastian Dangerfield

Hasnt this been going on all along? I go to the Galway Bay Brewery pubs and The Woolshed regularly for lunch, and all have been charging for water for at least a year

Walter Bishop

Yes the Indo is up to it's usual standards:

Restaurant industry experts say a tap water charge is likely to be...

Mr Cummins expects...

He says some restaurants will be looking at it more seriously than others

However, he said it's unlikely a uniform system will be implemented...

"We are being softened up now for all of this," said Mr Cummins...

So, zero verifiable or sourced facts then.

Halfbaker

More clickbait nonsense. Current commercial water rates are about €1 per 1000 litres. Are restaurants really going to add €0.0003 to your bill for a glass of water?

In other news Ryanair will be charging people to use the toilet...

Red Kev

If it's true it nasty behaviour on their part. They got a hefty VAT reduction a couple of years ago and it's still not good enough. It has nothing to do with rates, any hotel/restaurant uses so much water in a day that an extra pint of tap water is meaningless. Flusing the jacks is 10-20 pints of water, depending on the cistern.

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

That one was actually true, I'm a regular in that particular hotel. Was reversed fairly quickly after social media ridicule.

This is just another example of how FG/Lab policy, while fixing the macro economy, is driving up the cost of living relative to other European countries and making Ireland an unattractive place to visit / live.

It's not FG/Lab* policy is it? It's pubs or hotels deciding themselves to do this. Business premises have been paying water rates for decades.

*I'm not a supporter of them BTW.

moleyv

Sometimes boards reads like the Daily Mail...

Yakkyda

A euro or two for unlimited jugs of water per table would be agreeable to most I'd imagine . They do and have been paying for it for quite a while. A euro per glass is taking piss altogether.

Yakult

ScumLord wrote: »

I think restaurants would be better off allowing people to bring in a bottles of water themselves.

They would probably try to charge you for de-capping it

Senna

I can certainly understand it in bars, It's the same principle as discos only serving bottle water and no tap water. You're taking up space, benefiting from the entertainment, heating, furniture etc, if you want to be there, then spend something.
Restaurants is a different story, you are buying a meal and that should be enough to get a free jug of water

JJJJNR

Sure just knock by a farm on the way, they get 220,000 litres per year for free.

4zn76tysfajdxp

Some restaurants charge for food as well. Scamming scumbags.

ShooterSF

I've worked in the industry for over a decade with managers ranging from genius to did you get this job in a lucky bag? And none of them would be crazy enough to charge for tap water, not even in-house filtered and bottled water. It would just be so stupid when you can adjust the price of meals to accommodate increases in water rates.

SEPT 23 1989

Always a free glass of water with a carvery in my local eatery

kneemos

Doesn't everybody carry their own bottle of water?

mikeym

If people are so upset why dont they bring in their own water.

darkpagandeath

Wow, Increase in the cost of doing business. That's never happened before Irish water. Customers will vote with feet on this one If a business wants to overcharge they will go down the pan pretty fast.

KERSPLAT!

Someone was telling me last week that Diceys was charging 10 cent for a glass, I think that's reasonable, though not actually sure if it's true?

They're paying for the water and all the over heads too. 10-20 cent wouldn't bother me.

darkpagandeath

KERSPLAT! wrote: »

Someone was telling me last week that Diceys was charging 10 cent for a glass, I think that's reasonable, though not actually sure if it's true?

They're paying for the water and all the over heads too. 10-20 cent wouldn't bother me.

True but supplying customers water to drink would be the smallest part of the water usage. €1 to me sounds like a company trying to offset some of the regular water usage under the guise of a new charge. They have always paid for water. It's got a whole Web S smell off it.

hatrickpatrick

KERSPLAT! wrote: »

Someone was telling me last week that Diceys was charging 10 cent for a glass, I think that's reasonable, though not actually sure if it's true?

They're paying for the water and all the over heads too. 10-20 cent wouldn't bother me.

It was true, but they axed that a long time ago unless they've brought it back in over the last few weeks.

Stheno

KERSPLAT! wrote: »

Someone was telling me last week that Diceys was charging 10 cent for a glass, I think that's reasonable, though not actually sure if it's true?

They're paying for the water and all the over heads too. 10-20 cent wouldn't bother me.

20c a glass according to post 17

hatrickpatrick

Red Kev wrote: »

If it's true it nasty behaviour on their part. They got a hefty VAT reduction a couple of years ago and it's still not good enough. It has nothing to do with rates, any hotel/restaurant uses so much water in a day that an extra pint of tap water is meaningless. Flusing the jacks is 10-20 pints of water, depending on the cistern.




It's not FG/Lab* policy is it? It's pubs or hotels deciding themselves to do this. Business premises have been paying water rates for decades.

*I'm not a supporter of them BTW.

Irish Water is their baby. Irish Water is wasting millions on bonuses and consultants, and Irish Water is consequently increasing the rates businesses will have to pay, at a time when we should be trying to reduce the cost of doing business in Ireland - particularly for the tourism / hospitality sector.

So I do indeed blame the government. Tackling the cost of living and the cost of a night out in Ireland should be a high priority to them if the tourism sector is to recover. Instead, they're utterly decimating it.

darkpagandeath

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

Irish Water is their baby. Irish Water is wasting millions on bonuses and consultants, and Irish Water is consequently increasing the rates businesses will have to pay, at a time when we should be trying to reduce the cost of doing business in Ireland - particularly for the tourism / hospitality sector.

So I do indeed blame the government. Tackling the cost of living and the cost of a night out in Ireland should be a high priority to them if the tourism sector is to recover. Instead, they're utterly decimating it.

I wonder if Publicans will get on this, And claim their products are mostly water and increase charges because of Rates. Sick of Ireland and Gouging customers.

The Moldy Gowl

Christ. The over reaction from some people calling it disgusting.

It's a euro, it's 50 cent, it's whatever.
It you don't want to pay it, eat at home.

They are a business and you getting a free glass of water means you won't get a coke or wine or beer so they are losing out on that 3/4 euro off the bat.

Disgusting behaviour me hole.

darkpagandeath

Gowlasauras Rex wrote: »

Christ. The over reaction from some people calling it disgusting.

It's a euro, it's 50 cent, it's whatever.
It you don't want to pay it, eat at home.

They are a business and you getting a free glass of water means you won't get a coke or wine or beer so they are losing out on that 3/4 euro off the bat.

Disgusting behaviour me hole.

Great business model let us know how one gets on with that.

NachoBusiness

Of course a minister has spoken out against it.

The less tap water we drink, the lower our fluoride levels would be and then the government would have less control over our minds.

The Moldy Gowl

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Great business model let us know how one gets on with that.

But if people are so upset about paying for water, they can pop off to dunnes and but food there and drink water at home.

Should restuarants start charging what aldi charges for food? Maybe add on a euro to that to pay for staff?

brophs

Bear Grylls drank elephant sh*te and they paid him.

This country...

darkpagandeath

Gowlasauras Rex wrote: »

But if people are so upset about paying for water, they can pop off to dunnes and but food there and drink water at home.

Should restuarants start charging what aldi charges for food? Maybe add on a euro to that to pay for staff?

A business is not a charity, They are a for profit company. if their customers feel they are being overcharged they will go elsewhere. Restaurants cannot really blame anyone for going out of business but themselves like all other businesses. This has an awful web summit smell off it, But I'm guessing people will not pay €1 for water and go where it's free.

riffmongous

Jan Laco wrote: »

If you can afford an overpriced dinner you can afford a glass of water. Just take it out of the €10 tip.

Why punish the waiter? It's not his fault

Firefox11

CANT PAY. WONT PAY.


Isn't that what those anti water fellas say?

rubadub

sonyvision wrote: »

Diceys Garden has been charging 20c per glass of Water for a few months now at lunch times.

That is pretty cheap, when compared to other drinks in most pubs or restaurants, and Diceys are very cheap themselves they do (or used to) €2 pints of paulaner, cheaper than the offie. Loads of drinks were €2

There was a big thread in consumer issues about pubs charging €1 or €2 for pints of miwadi. I broke down the prices and showed it was very good value relative to other drinks on offer, e.g. bottled beer or tea or coffee or orange juice.

In saying that if I owned a restaurant it would be free, as I know many people are sort of blind to the whole issue, and point blank refuse to even think about it fundamentally for a second. They have had it free so long they continue to expect it. Many fastfood places will not give out free water.

mikeym wrote: »

If people are so upset why dont they bring in their own water.

They may not be allowed, just like most pubs will not let you bring in your own cans, or frown upon people bringing in food especially if they sell food themselves.

Fleawuss

It's no surprise. Everything is to be monetized.

Bulbous Salutation

Firefox11 wrote: »

CANT PAY. WONT PAY.


Isn't that what those anti water fellas say?

They spend the money on 8 cans of Karpackie instead.

wakka12

Charge all they want. That water money will be coming out of their tips. Unfortunately it'll be the waiters that suffer and not the greedy owner but hey.. what can ya do

Guy:Incognito

So they buy beer in and charge you for it, thats fine ,but they buy water and want to charge for it and its a disgrace?