Seriously! Gas in the Water?
Oct 22nd, 2006, 03:04 PM
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Seriously! Gas in the Water?
Ok, last year when we traveled all over Italy, we discovered very early that we had to say when ordering water - "no gas"! Otherwise, the water tasted horrible.
This time we will just be in Rome & Venice. Do we need to say that in restaurants & stores there or is that not an issue in the big cities?
- I'm serious!
Julie
This time we will just be in Rome & Venice. Do we need to say that in restaurants & stores there or is that not an issue in the big cities?
- I'm serious!Julie
Oct 22nd, 2006, 03:13 PM
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Unless you specifically ask for water with no gas, you'll be served carbonated water in big and small cities alike.
If you want still water you must request it as you found out last year.
Many people, myself included, very much enjoy a glass of San Pellegrino or other sparking mineral water with dinner - it runs about $1/bottle at Sams's club.
If you want still water you must request it as you found out last year.
Many people, myself included, very much enjoy a glass of San Pellegrino or other sparking mineral water with dinner - it runs about $1/bottle at Sams's club.
Oct 22nd, 2006, 04:24 PM
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In most cities, when you order water, they will bring you bottled water, in most cities, the water will be carbonated or fizzy or aqua con gas or gassato ..
Unless you specify that is usually what happens, even in the US..
I like sparkling/fizzy/mineral water so it rarely comes up .. Marling Menu Master makes a translator for Italy, you might want to get one. I have worn my French one out and I am not working on the Spanish one
Unless you specify that is usually what happens, even in the US..
I like sparkling/fizzy/mineral water so it rarely comes up .. Marling Menu Master makes a translator for Italy, you might want to get one. I have worn my French one out and I am not working on the Spanish one
Oct 22nd, 2006, 04:44 PM
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I've never heard someone ask for "ancora acqua". Maybe a native could correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it would be best to ask for "acqua naturale" or "sensa gas".
"ancora" means "still" or "yet". For example the sentence "ancora mangia" means "He/she/it is still eating." I've heard, "ancora un' altra" which means "one more" or literally, "yet one more"
"ancora" means "still" or "yet". For example the sentence "ancora mangia" means "He/she/it is still eating." I've heard, "ancora un' altra" which means "one more" or literally, "yet one more"
Oct 22nd, 2006, 04:52 PM
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Julie-you can say "gas" "no gas" of course-but the terms in Italian are:
"acqua frizzante" (carbonated) and, what you want: "acqua naturale" (natural, or still water)
"acqua frizzante" (carbonated) and, what you want: "acqua naturale" (natural, or still water)
Oct 22nd, 2006, 05:17 PM
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Actually I stopped saying "acqua naturale" when I found that some water is naturally carbonated. Right on the bottle it would say "naturale" but have bubbles. I hated it. I also mistakenly bought some at a store that way.
Oct 22nd, 2006, 05:37 PM
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Even back in the 1970's we ordered water saying "no gas"..and that is what we got. I don't like carbonated water either. BTW, a friend in Milan in the 1970's told us to say "no gas"..so I think that is the way to communicate what you want in the way of water. It has always worked for me regardless of where I am in Italy.
Oct 22nd, 2006, 07:51 PM
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I have always said, senza gas.
Be aware though that still water in a bottle can be substituted by plain tap water, they can't do that do the carbonated water. Be sure you watch them uncap it or let you do it, experience has taught me.
Be aware though that still water in a bottle can be substituted by plain tap water, they can't do that do the carbonated water. Be sure you watch them uncap it or let you do it, experience has taught me.
Oct 22nd, 2006, 08:41 PM
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Yes, "gas" "no gas" are words that Italian, Spanish and even French waiters use with the tourists, because it is easy to understand-but it isn't correct terminology, and I don't hear Italians using it, nor have waiters used it with me when they ask me which kind of water I want-but I don't order in English.
If you go and buy bottled water in Italian shops or supermarkets, the bottles will not have the words "gas" or "no gas" anywhere on them. It's either "frizzante" or "naturale" and there are different colored labels to denote the difference.
If you go and buy bottled water in Italian shops or supermarkets, the bottles will not have the words "gas" or "no gas" anywhere on them. It's either "frizzante" or "naturale" and there are different colored labels to denote the difference.
Oct 22nd, 2006, 10:03 PM
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Interesting Girlspytravel as so many of my Italian friends in Italy DO say NO GAS. And sensa means without which is also correct as SeaUrchin uses. But to say GST that Italians do NOT say no gas..well I will have to tell my friends in Italy, LOL.
Oct 23rd, 2006, 04:08 AM
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Since it was brought up to watch the waiter uncap the bottle...
In Venice I asked for tap water in a restaurant and was told we had to buy bottled water. The waiter made a big show of uncapping the bottle and my son and I drank the entire bottle during dinner. At the end of dinner, I happened to pick up the cap and noticed that there was stuff growing in it!
How gross is that?!
I guess I got my tap water after all!
In Venice I asked for tap water in a restaurant and was told we had to buy bottled water. The waiter made a big show of uncapping the bottle and my son and I drank the entire bottle during dinner. At the end of dinner, I happened to pick up the cap and noticed that there was stuff growing in it!
How gross is that?! I guess I got my tap water after all!
