Thanks guys! We have looked in all of our resources and came up with leitungswasser but I think there must be something else. I know how to order my beer but am stumped on water. Don't want mineralwasser
We leave the 1st (of Sept.) for Munich, Prien, Mittenwald and St. Gilgen, with a few days not booked. Really looking forward to it. Have only been in Germany in the winter for several years. Hoping for beer garden weather. Thanks again! CJ

I asked a similar Q here a few months ago when we were heading to Austria, and was told "Leitungswasser". I used it several times on the trip and had no problem; though most waitstaff understood tap water in English.

It is Leitungswasser - I have a friend who always asks for Leitungswasser when we go to visit friends we have in common and always gets mocking comments. I draw the conclusion that at least in some areas people prefer mineral water to tap water. I don't think there's anything wrong with the tap water, except maybe too much lime (Kalk) in some areas.

Lavandula

Leitungswasser.

Why must folks ask for info from specific people? Do you think the rest of us are fooling you?

Leitungswasser it is, and be prepared for a shocked response from the waiter. For some reason Germans do not drink water from the tap.

Read the ingredients list on any bottled water in Germany. It is almost brackish. I don't know why they drink that stuff.

Thank you all! St Cirq - sorry I offended you. I know Cowboy and Logos are in the area and sometimes there are local words that one might use to be more easily understood. Thanks again. CJ

I ask for Leitungswasser too. I also live in the area.

Hereby officially certified as "Leitungswasser".

And yes, it is a bit uncommon to ask for it, esp. the more upscale the restaurant is. A friend of mine prefers to drink water from the top, and there was never a problem so far to get a glass when we were out for lunch or dinner (at not so upscale restaurants). But I doubt that you will get (free) Leitungswasser if you don't order food at the same time.

In Munich, water from the tab actually would qualify as mineral water as it comes from a mountain source and tastes as good as any bottled water.
The region where I grew up, water from the tab did not taste bad but downright flat as in: no taste at all. More people would buy mineral water there to drink.

lanvandula - the mocking comments may result from the perception of your hosts that your friend wanted to be an excessively modest guest. In the same way as if he/she asked for just a bit of bread when asked what he/she wanted for dinner.

spaarne - many Germans drink water from the tab. You just don't serve it your guests as you don't want to be considered "cheap". Mineral water is supposed to contain minerals, that's the long list of "ingredients". The next level would be "Heilwasser" (~ healing water) which contains high levels of certain minerals and is considered a medication againt certain illnesses than something you drink against thirst.

In all regions of Germany, it is Leitungswasser or, more colloquial, Kranwasser.

But be prepared to be treated as "cheap Americans" by the waitstaff when you order Leitungswasser in a restaurant. And be prepared that you get just a small glass of Leitungswasser with no ice.

The reason is that restaurants get most of their revenue not from food but from beverages, esp. alcoholic beverages. And a customer who orders Leitungswasser will cause an economic loss for the restaurant: they need a waiter to bring you the glass, they have to clean the glass etc.

All true because European restaurants don't work with table turnover like in the States.

What I don't understand is why don't they put a small charge on a glass of water and be done with it? That way, everyone is happy.

By the way, more and more Europeans are ordering "Hahnenwasser" than ever before. This is no longer just an American thing.

Also, if you order a coffee, it's becoming quite accepted to receive a glass of water with it.

Just to be sure. In Munich it's "Leitungswasser".
"Hahnenwasser" or "Kranwasser" are unknown terms.

The coke at the local McD tastes so much better than anywhere else, so the water is really good. The lime content is extremly high. A pack of citric acid does help a lot when cleaning the bathroom, cookware or your coffee maker.

Have also never heard of Hahnenwasser or Kranwasser. Which dialect is that? It certainly isn't from Hessen.

<<The reason is that restaurants get most of their revenue not from food but from beverages, esp. alcoholic beverages. And a customer who orders Leitungswasser will cause an economic loss for the restaurant: they need a waiter to bring you the glass, they have to clean the glass etc.>>

<<All true because European restaurants don't work with table turnover like in the States.>>

in fact customs regarding water on the table vary all over europe, and within countries.

in Britain, normally you should have no probelm getting tap water, except in some very chi-chi establishments, tough they may bring mineral water unless you speciafically ask for tap. ditto France. in german-speaking countries and Italy, i have found that mineral water is the norm.

in Iceland, they brought tap-water as a matter of course, and wouldn't dream of charging for it.

coffee customs are vary varied too - some places [greece, austria, especially Vienna] you get a small glass of water with your coffee. in Iceland you generally get unlimited coffee once you have paid for one, and in two places, the coffee was free.

so you can't generalise about "europe".

regards, ann

Thanks to all. This kind of discussion is what makes this forum so valuable and interesting. I don't usually drink bottled water but certainly do not want to be branded a cheap American. As Ann said, customs differ all over. I had never considered the economic impact of a glass of water. I usually drink beer when in Germany. Anyway, thanks for all comments. We are interested in language and always want to learn. CJ

Ask for Glaswasser nicht Luftblasen.

I find that when I want a glass of tap water, if I've also ordered a beer or other beverage, that I get a decent response - probably because they know they will make money off me and I am not planning to take up their time while sitting around drinking for free. And as someone who drinks quite a bit of water, I make sure to have a bottle with me while wandering around that I refill from taps when I get a chance to that I don't have to rely on restaurants for my general hydration

Regarding the question "why Germans don't drink Leitungswasser": We have many very old buildings here which still have lead piping which has an influence on to the quality of water. Therefore many use a filter or filter system. But still - lots of folks don't like Leitungswasser/tap water and buy/schlepp bottled water.

SV

>Glaswasser nicht Luftblasen

It's "Glaswasser mit nix Luftblasen" or
"Glaswasser nada blubb blubb" or
"Gluck gluck mit nix blubb blubb"
spoken:
"Glook glook, med nexx bloob bloob"
They will understand...

I wasn't sure anyone here would understand nix. lol, I learned that and other useful words growing up with a German mom and friends. I have even used "wasser nix gas". Works well.

St Cirq,

I guess the OP was trying to avoid a situation like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN9mP2_1A-c

LOL