Asking for tap water in Paris restaurants, a faux pas?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 685
Asking for tap water in Paris restaurants, a faux pas?
OK, I know I am putting myself at risk for sounding like a real cheapo by asking this question. And, I would always ask for bottled water at a good restaurant. But, I don’t drink wine and at more casual restaurants I would be perfectly happy drinking the establishment’s tap water. My partner thinks this is crazy and “we are not going to Paris for you to order tap water at a restaurant” I always leave a good tip but water is not that important to me. What are your thoughts?
#3
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,725
Not really answering your question, but you should really try some of the carbonated waters in France. If your sole experience is with Perrier, try ordering l'eau avec petit gas (lightly carbonated water). Usually you will end up with Badoit or Pellegrino (Italian) that are quite delicious and aren't very expensive in a cafe. You will fit right in while your partner has wine.
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
If that's a faux pas, I've blissfully been doing it for years in Paris and all over France. Many Parisians do so as well. It's no big thing.
Speak French? Maybe someone can do a better job of this, but say, "K-raf dough".
Now if we could just make it that simple to do so in Italy. . .
Speak French? Maybe someone can do a better job of this, but say, "K-raf dough".
Now if we could just make it that simple to do so in Italy. . .
#5
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,260
I'm not sure I understand the reasoning..you would order bottled water only at a "good" restaurant? Why is that? Is it an "image" issue for you?
If you like tap water you like tap water. If you like bottled you like bottled.
What you order, other than the total price and the service received should drive the tip amount IMO. You can still leave a tip which reflects your overall satisfaction whether you drink tap water or not.
As to your partner; remind that person that you ARE going to Paris to enjoy the meals AND that includes drinking the type of water that you WANT to drink.
Restaurnats arethere to serve the needs of the customers. I suppose for some unconfident perople it is the other way around.
If you like tap water you like tap water. If you like bottled you like bottled.
What you order, other than the total price and the service received should drive the tip amount IMO. You can still leave a tip which reflects your overall satisfaction whether you drink tap water or not.
As to your partner; remind that person that you ARE going to Paris to enjoy the meals AND that includes drinking the type of water that you WANT to drink.
Restaurnats arethere to serve the needs of the customers. I suppose for some unconfident perople it is the other way around.
#6
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 2,121
You can ask for tap water at any restaurant, and it's free. Tap water in Paris is of excellent quality and free of any bizarre taste.
Bottled waters come in fizzy and flat varieties. The flat varieties taste much like tap water (which is not surprising, since that's often just about what they are). The fizzy waters have variable tastes. I prefer Badoit with meals because it fizzes only slightly (just enough to keep taste buds running), and it has very little taste of its own.
By the way, the tip is included in the bill in French restaurants; you don't need to leave a tip.
As for the question of what other people will think, it is hard for me to comment, since I don't go to restaurants for the purpose of making an impression upon others.
Bottled waters come in fizzy and flat varieties. The flat varieties taste much like tap water (which is not surprising, since that's often just about what they are). The fizzy waters have variable tastes. I prefer Badoit with meals because it fizzes only slightly (just enough to keep taste buds running), and it has very little taste of its own.
By the way, the tip is included in the bill in French restaurants; you don't need to leave a tip.
As for the question of what other people will think, it is hard for me to comment, since I don't go to restaurants for the purpose of making an impression upon others.
#8
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 235
Most restaurants have the carafes all waiting in a chilled area to immediately supply your request. And the request will not create "eye-rolling" even in a fine restaurant. Paris water is very drinkable even though different arrondisments might have springs with different"flavors".
#9
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 220
No, it is not a faux pas....that is just more of an issue with people who care what complete strangers think!
Waiters and waitresses will not look down on you for asking for regular water. I asked all the time and was not given a funny look or scoffed at or any such thing.
Ask for tap water and be prepared that it will be room temp and not very cold. But they do serve it in cute reusable bottles!
Also, you have to ask for butter for your bread as it does not normally come with it either.
Waiters and waitresses will not look down on you for asking for regular water. I asked all the time and was not given a funny look or scoffed at or any such thing.
Ask for tap water and be prepared that it will be room temp and not very cold. But they do serve it in cute reusable bottles!
Also, you have to ask for butter for your bread as it does not normally come with it either.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,370
I almost always have that, also; you just have to ask for it, they don't usually automatically give it to you. I was reading the French government's website the other day for the agency that regulates a lot of restaurant and hotel charges, and was interested to see that, by law, a French restaurant has to provide you tap water for free, as well as the place setting, and I think bread (at least with a meal). In other words, the idea of a separate charge for a "couvert" as they do in some countries, is not allowed in France.
A lot of French do order bottled water, though, it's not just tourists. They order it a lot more than I would expect.
A lot of French do order bottled water, though, it's not just tourists. They order it a lot more than I would expect.
Thanks for the tips!
#15
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 897
The only faux pas is on the part of the occasional waiter who will try to take advantage of tourist and steer you away from the carafe d'eau. It's the law in France that you have to serve a pitcher of tap water if the client asks for it.
-kevin
-kevin
#18
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 8
Neopolitan implies there is difficulty getting tap water in Italy. Can anyone elaborate? After we're done with Paris, we'll go on to Italy. What do I ask for there? And will I get it?!
Also, how about Germany? What's tap water in German?
Also, how about Germany? What's tap water in German?
#19
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,289
We had the same experience that others had in France, tap water was graciously supplied, in fact I don't remember in 5 weeks having to ask once.
However, last summer in Germany, we were never, ever able to get tap water. (We spent 5 weeks traveling around.) It just was not offered or available. The servers told us that we had to buy it. Even at a cafeteria, I remember paying .50 Euro for a glass of tap water. It certainly adds money to your restaurant bill, when you are paying for water at every meal and in the summer, you want that drink of water. For me, nothing else will do.
However, last summer in Germany, we were never, ever able to get tap water. (We spent 5 weeks traveling around.) It just was not offered or available. The servers told us that we had to buy it. Even at a cafeteria, I remember paying .50 Euro for a glass of tap water. It certainly adds money to your restaurant bill, when you are paying for water at every meal and in the summer, you want that drink of water. For me, nothing else will do.
