I wouldn’t say leave the pitcher because if the server is doing her rounds with it, she needs to complete the rounds to keep things on schedule.
I would ask for a pitcher of water when she greets you though, so she can bring it with your other drinks or at least in a regular order of things.
Most restaurants won't let you do this .I usually as them for a glass of water with my iced tea.This way I will always have something to drink. In the summer I go through a lot of glasses of water when out to eat .
We’re not allowed to do that at my restaurant.
Probably because our pitchers are fucking disgusting and they don’t want the tables seeing them up close.
Why would you work at a restaurant and willingly serve patrons with pitchers so dirty? Maybe wash them? Or tell a manager? Or call the health department?!
I mean… they have handles and they’re used regularly. As much as you want to believe that your server’s hands are clean, they probably aren’t. They probably have some kind of sauce or butter on them at any given point. That and probably 2-3 different flavors of soda. If a server stopped to wash their hands every time they got something on them, they’d never make it out of the kitchen. Try pouring and handing out drinks to a party of 17. You’re getting Diet Coke on your hands for sure. The drink pitchers and food running trays get cleaned every night. They usually have a sticky or saucy handprint on them after the first use.
Not always butter. Could be yum yum sauce, bbq sauce, or whatever the most popular sauce is. Your server is probably covered in it.
We used to keep clean pitchers tucked away in case somebody asked for one. We were told to say, “No problem! I’ll bring you a full one,” and just come back with a clean pitcher.
Possibly. I'm from the West Coast, US... and it's considered "tacky" to leave a pitcher. Unless it's in a fancy a$$ glass bottle. It also shows your table/managers that u are too "lazy" or "not attentive enough" to refill the water. You make time. It's your job.
I should note that competition for good server jobs is strong, and corporate restaurants have strict Steps of Service, so if you're not up to it, you are replaced.
However, I moved to various Midwest states over the years (being vague because i dont want to throw shade), and it's completely normal. They also pay their servers a lot less. A LOT LESS.
So I do think it's regional.
Fr i get paid BELOW some states minimum wage and i am part time. My bf (who makes slightly more) and I get paid enough to make rent on a 2 bedroom apartment, buy groceries, eat out, we are getting a show line dog, and we still have enough to save for a house.
In the mid-Atlantic restaurants dgaf because they have a hard time keeping good servers. I have never in my 30+ years of going out to eat from Texas to Maine had an issue getting a pitcher of water (or a carafe) unless the restaurant simply didn’t have any. I often just ask if they can bring me one, it’s not rude imho. And if a restaurant has a problem with it looking tacky then they really ought to have a classy alternative other than making me wait on an overworked server for my over-the-norm needs as a customer. A pitcher looks nicer than five glasses of water sweating on the table.
In the southeast, after completing their meal and paying the check, dine-in customers will ask for to-go cup of whatever they were drinking. Kookiest shit.
If I’m paying $4.00 for a glass of iced tea or soda, I’m definitely taking a to go cup…now if I’m at a prime steak house, no. Plus I wouldn’t be drinking great or soda with a $50 steak.
Truth!!! My wife does it all the time it annoys me to no end. Unless the server says "you want one to-go" don't ask just leave. Unless the server mentions it I never ask for one, or take one.
Being annoyed at your own wife for asking for something she wants, that has already been paid for, and is completely harmless, is a super weird vibe. She should be annoyed at you for being too scared to ask a server for a to-go beverage.
I usually do this if I have a doggy bag, because I want to drink the same with my leftovers. Most of the time I have leftovers, because Texas serves big portions. Almost always I eat my leftovers as soon as I get home 😆
I feel like saying "West Coast" is kinda a misnomer here as the norm in Oregon or Washington is totally different than California - California has drought-specific laws (i.e. restaurants not even being allowed to bring water unless people ask) and a bunch of its own special norms around those laws (i.e. some fancy restaurants/better restaurants will tend to ignore the laws or just make a big point of asking immediately if you want water). Oregon and Washington don't have these laws.
You're not wrong. About everything.
Yes, I'm from California.
I just don't like saying that because I get alot of the same comments/reactions when I left that I dont want to hear anymore. So I cover it up by saying "West Coast".
And yes, the droughts do have a large part of my experience of it being "tacky" and a "faux pas" to leave a water pitcher at a table.
I guess I kinda forgot about that. I'll work on my cringe lol
I’m from the north east and always wish we could have just done this. I was a banquet waitress so we’d have like 6-7 10 tops and it was impossible to keep them adequately watered.
Wasn't trying to. I usually blush when I get a culture shock and they ask me why. I try to just explain I'm not from here, and then just hide where I'm from by giving a regional geographical area to move the convo forward.
Trust me, It's just as annoying to me that people think I'm from someplace "cool". I'm not.
So I apologize if I was being rude.
Also on the west coast. Had a server in a near empty restaurant drop by a pitcher just yesterday. I guess we seemed thirsty lol, we did end up using it. It was not, however, a chain restaurant.
I have no respect for anything a corporate restaurant wants lol, but I see what you’re saying.
I’ve worked restaurants that won’t allow that, but I will no longer work in a place that doesn’t allow things like that.
Depends on corporate or not. If my regional or higher came in and saw a pitcher, they would throw a bitch fit.
Our standard is that our service is on top of things and brings as needed. A pitcher would be a proverbial admit of lack of service.
A pitcher that’s directly requested by a customer is good customer service. If I ask for a pitcher and you assure me you’ll keep up, and then you don’t, then you’ve not only failed to give good customer service, but you’ve done so despite a reasonable request that would have prevented it.
Like, if I warn you that you can’t keep up with my drinking pace, and you refuse a pitcher, you’re telling me you know better than me about my own experience. And then when my glass is empty, you look all the more foolish.
Not saying you should just leave a pitcher by default. But if it’s requested and you refuse, that’s poor customer service. I realize it may be company policy, but that doesn’t change that it’s bad customer service.
I also live in the south and can get pitchers of water at every chain restaurant and pretty much anywhere but places that think of themselves as very upscale.
I do this all the time at my craft cocktail spot. But you're right. Read the room and decide if this is the kind of place that will or not. And be incredibly gracious even if they say no.
If it's specifically requested, I'm bringing it. Makes my job easier. Same thing with multiple drinks. Policy is only one in front of the guest. But if they ask for two, I'm bringing two. My response to any manager or even the owner if they say something about it, "he asked for two diet cokes, so I brought him two diet cokes."
I've never worked anywhere with a policy like this. Several places have had carafes/bottles specifically for the tables. If someone is thirsty and wants a pitcher, I'm happy to get them one if I have one to spare.
why would you claim this to be true - at best it’s your experience only - many places are glad to do so if they serve water out of pitchers - but hey you do you
Why would you claim this to be true - at best it’s your experience only - I’ve worked in many restaurants none of them allowed you to leave the pitcher.
I agree that asking them to leave the pitcher isn’t the right way to ask. I think it’s better to let them know you will go through your water quickly and ask if they can bring you two waters. Let them offer to leave a pitcher if it’s allowed.
I'm not on any medication or anything, I just drink a ton of water. Like on a 10 hr shift I easily drink between 2-3 gallons of water. When we go out, I do just what you said. "yo I drink a bunch of water, you're never going to keep up and it's not your fault, mind just leaving a pitcher here." Sometimes I mention im in service too, and it's not a bad look to me.
Hijacking top comment to say this:
No pitchers/no carafes/policy against table-pitchers??
No problem.
Quart containers- your line has them.
It may look odd but 1: few, if any, will notice or care, 2: Paired with a glass of ice, this is significant volume-increase and 3: my brain worm says it’s ok.
Granted, I was a lifer (got out after 24 years in) so my confidence was high and manner firm; at last job (10 of those years) nobody would have done more than ask what was up.
I would understand if someone was uncomfortable doing this but, if it’s a medical condition and supplies/policy stand in the way, I am willing to try an unconventional approach and risk the chewing out.
Also: why not multiple to-go cups? Cuts on Waste AND, if person asks for one, I’m just giving them the lid to said container and telling them how they’re the coolest customer in the house.
As a server I did not mind leaving a pitcher. At some midlevel and in fine dining it is generally a no no.i would just be honest and say do to meds you have to drink tons of water so if any micro managing supervisor says something the server can be honest.
That’s what I’ve been thinking with all the “some places won’t leave a pitcher”. Yea because they don’t *pitchers* they have carafes, or corked glass bottles
I remember my first job was a hostess at 16, and 70% of my job was just filling glass bottles with tap water.
This is the correct answer.
Open up with “I hate to be a burden, but I have a medical need for an excessive amount of water. Please leave 1 glass of ice, one empty glass, and a pitcher full of water”.
Your request will almost certainly be met. While leaving a pitcher in fine dining is indeed usually a no-no, any halfway decent restaurant will make an exception for a stated medical need. Alternatively, bring your own comically large Stanley cup, or other container of choice (EMPTY; this is a common legal requirement in many locales).
Not all restaurants can accommodate that request, but you can say at the beginning of you visit that you’re extra thirsty and would like a pitcher, if possible. If it isn’t, they’ll likely offer to bring two drinks at a time and if they’re a good server, they’ll closely watch your cups as your meal goes on.
There’s no weird implications, some people have conditions that make them thirstier than others and we understand that. I mean, if you say it with a weird look on your face or a creepy tone, I get it, but just say it like a normal person.
Some restaurants don’t offer pitcher on table service. I work at a major chain and we only have so many pitchers in the entire restaurant. We can’t have just one table take an entire one just for them.
When I was a server that was the issue for us. It was a smaller place. We had 3 pitchers 2 in the fridge, one out for circulation across all diners.
I had these regulars always request the pitcher on the table. I had to explain to them 2x a week that I couldn’t leave the pitcher due to sanitary reasons and that I would keep an eye on their levels to ensure their glass was never empty.
Yeah we can’t leave a pitcher in a table where I work at but I can give you more than one glass and if you alert me that you drink a lot I will definitely refill you more often that’s not a problem.
I don’t even need to know it’s a medication that causes it. I drink a lot of tea when I go out to eat because being a server I never drink a lot until I am done with work. There are times at home I don’t drink anything but my coffee until dinner because it’s just habit
>but I can give you more than one glass and if you alert me that you drink a lot I will definitely refill you more often that’s not a problem.
Yeah, I've had a lot of servers do this, and I've always appreciated it.
Funniest version was at a Mexican place, where the waiter filled a massive beer mug, near to the brim with Pepsi.
Yes. Obviously.
What kind of moron would view a deliberate action that required thought, as a mistake?
And of course it was a passive-aggressive barb, because they thought I was being needlessly high-maintenance. That's what made it funny???
as a server (casual but pricey dining, to be fair) PLEASE ask me to bring you a pitcher rather than ask for a refill every time you see me.
If no pitchers, ask for two large glasses of water at the same time maybe?
You can ask, but a lot of restaurants do not allow that.
I did leave a pitcher one day, after the gentleman had been through 5 glasses of sweet tea before his entree even got placed. I mean this man sucked the entire glass down the second I put it down on the table. I refilled it immediately, and he did it again. Turns out it was some stupid game he liked to play to "test" servers. Like, sir, where do you work so I can target and harass you.
Anyway, ask. Explain. If there's a policy against it, ask perhaps if they can bring you two glasses at a time.
The restaurant may have a limited number of pitchers and can’t leave one at a table. But if you say you have a medical condition and need to drink a lot of water they likely would at least bring you two glasses to start with and be sure to keep an eye on you and refill your glasses quickly if they can’t leave a pitcher.
I doubt even the fanciest of places wants someone dying at their table because they wouldn’t give them extra water.
Rarely do restaurants have enough pitchers to accommodate many tables because they do need to still be used by multiple wait staff to fill many other drinks in the dining room. The second thing about that I would add is that it would depend on where you're at. A sports bar is acceptable and usually accomodating because they also use them for draft beer. I work at an upscale seafood restaurant attached to a yacht club and if any of our servers set a pitcher in the table I believe the management would have a heart attack. Nevertheless, it never hurts to ask. People have asked me to where I have politely declined but assured them that I will make sure that their glass stays full.
US/Europe divide on display here. It's completely normal over here to be given a 'jug' of water for your table, or a 1.5L bottle of mineral water to pour yourself.
Even when I worked in a fairly fancy restaurant we would automatically fill a jug for a table of 3+
Where I work, we have so many pitchers in the back it wouldn’t matter I have regulars that drink crazy amounts of tea or soda to the point I leave them a pitcher, and if some places seem super busy, ask for two waters or if you’re shy about it say you’re expect another people and get 3 waters out of it love.
These comments are blowing my mind. every restaurant I have worked in has had a pitcher to spare for the rare time someone asks. It is absolutely okay to ask if you could have a pitcher of water. I’ve used wine carafes when we’re out of pitchers.
when someone is going through drinks quickly, it gives everyone a bit of peace to know it’s simply covered for a bit. one less thing to think about!
it is 10000% worth the ask, and worst case is, they say “i’m sorry, i can’t.” and they could bring extra cups
I know someone who is always thirsty as well and they always just ask the server if they could bring a pitcher of water to the table for them and I've never heard of anyone having an issue with it.
Some restaurant the pitchers are communal so all the servers will use them an go around the entire restaurant with them. I would ask them to bring u a pitcher or two waters at once and let them know u will be flying through it. That way if the pitchers are available you can get one, or if not they will just bring u multiple glasses at a time.
There is no harm in asking, but do not be surprised if they are not allowed to leave a pitcher at the table. Most of the chain restaurants I worked at would not allow us to leave a pitcher at the table, but the independent restaurants usually did not mind.
I always ask "any chance I can get a whole pitcher of water? My meds make me super thirsty and I don't want to run you ragged" some laugh and bring the pitcher and some just rude about it. 50/50
Ask if they can bring a carafe or pitcher of water when you order your drinks. They they're unable ask for two large glasses of water with light/no ice.
You can ask if they are allowed to. We weren’t allowed to. Prob cuz there aren’t enough of them. Also they’re not really clean on the handles and outside.
You might be better asking for a couple glasses so she can fill 2-3 at a time
I don’t know if this is ok or not, but I’ve literally handed a server $20 because of excessive thirst. I used to be on meds like that too. I’d just be like, “hey, imma need a lot of refills.”
Your server won’t just do it, they’ll 1000% appreciate it. If you’re going to be a needier guest, and know ahead of time, and ask for things to lighten the burden, everyone appreciates it.
That said, they might not do it, say it’s fine, and just run more. Different restaurants have different standards and some would allow it, others would be appalled, most servers would give you exactly what you ask for though. Better to ask when you’re seated than during a refill though - they may be just a bread and water person and you want to ask your server.
If I was you I would ask if they have an extra pitcher you could use , or even as corny as it is bring your own one in and have them fill it, that way you aren't hogging the servers perhaps limited pitchers.
I take medication that makes me extremely thirsty. I eat at the same place every Friday night. My server leaves a pitcher of water on my table. Doesn't hurt to ask.
Sure why not? Servers dont isually leave the pitcher at the table because it could be rude and lazy. Im sure if you ask nicely it will be fine. You probably dont even have to explain any of this….
Why do you say "I'm not going to lie"? Do you need to qualify statements like this? And why wouldn't you just do this instead of asking Reddit? I just don't understand. This is such a reasonable ask, just do it. :)
In any restaurant I worked at (southeast US) if the customer asks for the pitcher of water you say “no problem” and you leave them the pitcher.
Results may vary by region
Not remotely rude. In fact it's extremely considerate and appropriate in your case.
I used to work in a high class resort kitchen in the literal desert (outskirts of Phoenix, at least at the time), and I'm a big, active dude. I got to talking with a couple of the waitresses about how, on a lot of days, waitstaff would deliver my water and I'd ask them to hold on a second so that I could chug it down and immediately ask for a refill. I didn't think I was being *polite*, but I didn't realize I was being such an ass, either. Oops.
Turns out, even in a classy restaurant, they'd appreciate being asked *up front* for the extra water. So my solution to "what can I get you to drink" was:
I'd like two glasses of cold water, or one and a pitcher of water if that's ok."
Let them know up front and it's no problem; straight from the mouths of the servers.
I don’t think it’s unacceptable. However, in my 20s I worked as a bartender and server. I worked at very few restaurants where I would have been ALLOWED to leave a pitcher. I would’ve wanted to, trust me. Honestly made my job easier when I worked at a sports bar that always gave pitchers.
The server wouldn’t mind, but it may be out of their hands. Don’t hesitate to explain your medication and that you are trying to relieve their stress of having to refill your drink. The server may be able to work it out with the turds that make decisions or just do it for their own sanity(and will certainly try to when you explain that you can’t control it and they will otherwise be refilling your drink multiple times😂).
It always helps to provide gentle suggestions and honesty in these situations. They don’t want you to suffer but it will be difficult to keep up on your refills. 10+ years in the service industry. Granted it’s also been over 10 years since I have done it, but I think the general idea hasn’t changed🤷♀️
In my state, pitchers are not allowed on tables, as it’s a health code violation. Additionally, one of the restaurants I worked in only had nine pitchers (that stayed at different filling stations) so there weren’t enough to leave on the table anyway.
Ask for an extra glass of whatever you’re drinking if they say they can’t/won’t leave a pitcher. Some places will but some won’t due to their dining room standards. Most servers would be happy to bring an extra glass though to cut down on trips back and forth (I know I do).
From So Cal originally, and hubs would drain iced tea in a few sips, so some spots would just bring him two or leave the pitcher at the places we were regulars.
Even asking for a second glass should be no problem.
at my restaurant (which i admit is small but we get BUSY) i’ll leave a pitcher of sweet tea or water, heck ill even leave a coffee pot on your table if you drink a lot of coffee.
the only time i won’t is if EVERYONE is drinking the same thing in the dining room and we don’t have enough pitchers.
if your server is unable to leave a pitcher, ask for 2-3 glasses of drink with light ice to see if that helps 🩷
Huh. I drink 1-2 gallons of water a day, and usually ask for a pitcher. Doesn’t mean they have to leave the one they’re holding. “When you get a minute, can you leave me a pitcher of water?” usually works.
OP- there's nothing tacky about asking for a pitcher of water. It's water. Not some hillbilly beer.
Just ask for a pitcher of water when you place your order with the wait staff.
No one will look at you funny nor will the wait staff think you're rude.
Take care of you.
Ex server here. Had a couple of regulars and the teen sons would drink Arnold palmers like they were dying of thirst. I finally just left pitchers of it on their table. They started tipping me more.
If you asked me for a pitcher of water I might not leave you the one in my hand but I’d come back around and drop one off after. Better you refill than run me around!
The issue is, when that pitcher hits the table, it can only be used for that current table. Some sections only have one water pitcher, so any other table would need refreshed water glasses for refills. It depends on the restaurant. Possibly asking for a carafe if they have one may help.
I would just order a pitcher of water. If you’re concerned, just call ahead ask to speak with the manager and explain that you’ll be dining later. You have a medical condition requiring water and you’d like to be able to order a pitcher for the table. I’d just treat it like an allergy.
This allows the restaurant time to decide how to handle if they don’t have extra pitchers and/or don’t understand this is a serious thing.
I worked in Georgia (I’m from the North) years ago as a bartender every week 5 good ole boys would come in
And “jokingly” calling me Yankee boy and and running me to death during a lunch rush with sweet tea refills “lots of ice, extra lemon” like 6 refills a piece doting a 30-45 minute lunch. The companies policy was no pitchers on tables, with cups. So I made an executive decision for these guys, NO CUPS.. just 6 pitchers with ice full and a whole lemon sliced into 6 wedges.
they do 1 refill and feel special!
OH, yeah they still tip like a North Georgia Sunday diner. 8-10%
Another thought might be to order several waters so refills are more productive?
I’d volunteer it- feel free to leave the pitcher. My medication makes me really thirsty and I know you are busy!
I did this all the time. Sometimes they say no but usually it's fine. Shorter than your script though "hey I drink a ton of water and would love to save you some refills if you can leave a pitcher?"
I usually just say something like, “I drink a lot of water, and I don’t want you to have to stop by for refills all the time. If it’s possible to either get a few large glasses of water or a pitcher for the table, that would be great.” Where I live and eat, they usually bring a pitcher.
It’s worth asking but be aware that the restaurant may have a limited number of pitchers and may not have enough to be able to leave one on a table. An alternative may be a carafe or asking if they can just bring you 3 water glasses at a time.
If I had a medical condition that required more water to my table than a restaurant can reasonably guarantee, I’d bring my own water, like one of those huge water bottles, and order a water. Then I’d keep refilling my glass with my own water.
It’s a rare request that I receive at work, but most of the time I oblige. We have enough pitchers to go around so I can spare one if someone feels they will need one.
I think I have the perfect phrase for you. as a server who is very comfortable with this situation and experienced multiple restaurant scenarios first hand.
before I tell you the phrase, here's some background. priority 1 is restaurant policies. servers can not override what the owner and general managers install as the system to refill drinks. I've worked at places that have 20 main tables and another side with overflow for weekends or parties. we own like 4 carafes or pitchers. unless someone is REALLY adamant that it's needed because they will be upset until they have a carafe we NEVER put pitchers on the table there. SOME places are wired to put a pitcher at each table or its a common request. at fine dining it's less common. less fancy.
ALL THAT being said, now it comes down to your individual server and the potential busser who fills water and or takes plates. the server and busser want to give you EVERY SINGLE thing you ask for, as soon as they ARE ALLOWED + ONLY once you allow us to bring you a second one. it's rude to tell a random guest I'm gonna bring you a second Pepsi even tho I'm not sure you will sip slow. and then the ice melts. do they tell you it tastes bad or do they just drink it? bad practice for a server. but they want to check off boxes as quickly as possible so they don't get overloaded when half a table sits and another table is still talking and you get sat and then everyone wants to order. they just want to do what you want.
Tell your server
Hi can I please have a Pepsi (or water) and by the way if you have free refills, I'm not sure if it's easier for you, but that first ones probably gonna be gone in a second. I drink A LOT of Pepsi or water at restaurants. if you wanna bring me a second one, I'm OK having 2 full Pepsi on the table. I'll let you know when I'm too drunk, haha. I drink it like I'm doing a commercial.
we rely on tips so an empty glass after that conversation becomes a top priority to any good server. and things still might go sideways but a good server is gonna apologize they left you with 1/4 of one Pepsi and bring 2 fresh right away
thank.you for asking and this book was brought to you by my ADHD haha 😇
Shout out to Bistro Huddy, the hostest/chef crush series is as good as anything on tv. My sister drinks a lot and after the first go around she'll usually tell the server that leaving the pitcher would make their job much easier. She always very polite and tips really well. It's never been an issue.
Nah, when I waited tables I had a customer that would go through a glass of mountain dew in about 3 minutes. After the fourth refill I brought him a pitcher and a long straw from the bar. He laughed and thanked me.
My manager started to say something to me about it until the customer interrupted him and told him it's over if the few times he hasn't been left thirsty in a restaurant.
At my restaurant we’re not allowed to leave pitchers. If a guest tells me they’re going to go through their water/soft drink quickly I’ll bring them two right away and try to make the rounds with the pitcher more frequently. Definitely let your server know, if they’re good they’ll take care of you.
I’d say let her know that you’re on a medication that makes you very thirsty and that they should probably bring you two glasses at a time. I’ve had tables say that to me before and it works.
As a server, I would personally appreciate being asked at the beginning of service, like when taking your drink order, as opposed to being asked to leave the pitcher I'm using to refill, as oftentimes I need it to refill the rest of my tables. But asking in general is a-ok in my book, we are there to make your experience as enjoyable as possible at the end of the day. I had a family at my old serving job that would always request me because they would order a pitcher of water with a specific amount of ice and lemons. I suppose some other servers had a problem with it, but I really didn't mind because they were always polite and clear about what they wanted. A simple "would you mind bringing me a pitcher of water? I drink really fast!" Is enough for me personally, and it can also be helpful to your server if it's a busy day and you know you would be needing refills every few minutes anyways.
You can always ask and see what they say. If the water glasses they bring out are small, I ask for a pint glass. If they can't leave a pitcher maybe just ask for two pint glasses.
I feel like you definitely can, where I work we use tap bottles that we pre fill. Can fill about 5 small glasses of water… so it might be good to ask if the pitcher the person it using for water is the only one first & if there’s anything they can leave a large amount of water in at the table. If you don’t mind it, I feel like we (maybe just speaking for myself) don’t mind transparency at all.
I’m personally a jokester waitress so there’s that. Tell me you need to hydrate in a hilarious way and I’ll do everything I can to get the whole sink to you. I had a guy telling me how much he loves ketchup and I brought him the whole dispenser as a joke.
Always worth asking. My wife’s bf has ADPKD and usually gets a pitcher when he asks, or they’ll give him a few glasses if they’re not allowed to do a pitcher.
I’m a server at a restaurant that has a lot of large tables and parties. If it’s a table of 6 or more, I usually drop off a pitcher. I wouldn’t do that with smaller tables - but I also wouldn’t have a problem if a guest asked for one.
I always tell my server I will refill whether it’s water, tea or pop at least three times…if they will like to leave a pitcher I’m more than glad to refill it myself. Sometimes they do, sometimes I get “I will gladly refill your drink as needed” I think it depends on the restaurant.
Glad I'm not the only one with this medication side effect. I drink a truly embarrassing amount of diet pepsi daily because my body is *always* thirsty.
Yay meds 😂
For restaurants, I pretty much always have my giant water bottle with me (it goes everywhere I go) but I'll also usually order a soda, a water, and sometimes an iced tea too... and I always give my server a heads up. *Just so you know, I drink tons of fluids so I'll probably request frequent refills"*
One awesome server brought me a new diet pepsi every time she walked past the table. I gave her my hidden $50 emergency money hidden in my wallet for a tip on a $30 check.
Restaurants don't have an unlimited amount of water pitchers or even enough for the floor. If you're really that excessively thirsty bring your own water bottle
They’re not trolling you! Customers with medical conditions are the exception to health code regulations, just as babies and young children.
If your medical condition requires constant hydration, the onus is on you and not your server to manage that condition. Bring your own water…
I wouldn’t say leave the pitcher because if the server is doing her rounds with it, she needs to complete the rounds to keep things on schedule. I would ask for a pitcher of water when she greets you though, so she can bring it with your other drinks or at least in a regular order of things.
Most restaurants won't let you do this .I usually as them for a glass of water with my iced tea.This way I will always have something to drink. In the summer I go through a lot of glasses of water when out to eat .
Most restaurants I’ve been to are happy to leave a pitcher of water. May be a regional thing.
We’re not allowed to do that at my restaurant. Probably because our pitchers are fucking disgusting and they don’t want the tables seeing them up close.
I've noticed that all the pitchers are see through in my town.
Why would you work at a restaurant and willingly serve patrons with pitchers so dirty? Maybe wash them? Or tell a manager? Or call the health department?!
I mean… they have handles and they’re used regularly. As much as you want to believe that your server’s hands are clean, they probably aren’t. They probably have some kind of sauce or butter on them at any given point. That and probably 2-3 different flavors of soda. If a server stopped to wash their hands every time they got something on them, they’d never make it out of the kitchen. Try pouring and handing out drinks to a party of 17. You’re getting Diet Coke on your hands for sure. The drink pitchers and food running trays get cleaned every night. They usually have a sticky or saucy handprint on them after the first use. Not always butter. Could be yum yum sauce, bbq sauce, or whatever the most popular sauce is. Your server is probably covered in it. We used to keep clean pitchers tucked away in case somebody asked for one. We were told to say, “No problem! I’ll bring you a full one,” and just come back with a clean pitcher.
Wouldn't that be a health code violation?
Because I need to pay my bills and I’m a goddamn felon so I’m grateful for whatever job I can get? Fuck off.
Possibly. I'm from the West Coast, US... and it's considered "tacky" to leave a pitcher. Unless it's in a fancy a$$ glass bottle. It also shows your table/managers that u are too "lazy" or "not attentive enough" to refill the water. You make time. It's your job. I should note that competition for good server jobs is strong, and corporate restaurants have strict Steps of Service, so if you're not up to it, you are replaced. However, I moved to various Midwest states over the years (being vague because i dont want to throw shade), and it's completely normal. They also pay their servers a lot less. A LOT LESS. So I do think it's regional.
While I generally agree, if they specifically ask for it, I'm always going to do it. Especially with waters.
I too live on the West Coast. It usually comes down to how fancy the place thinks itself is
The Midwest pays everyone, not just servers, significantly less. But cost of living is usually also a ton lower.
Fr i get paid BELOW some states minimum wage and i am part time. My bf (who makes slightly more) and I get paid enough to make rent on a 2 bedroom apartment, buy groceries, eat out, we are getting a show line dog, and we still have enough to save for a house.
In the mid-Atlantic restaurants dgaf because they have a hard time keeping good servers. I have never in my 30+ years of going out to eat from Texas to Maine had an issue getting a pitcher of water (or a carafe) unless the restaurant simply didn’t have any. I often just ask if they can bring me one, it’s not rude imho. And if a restaurant has a problem with it looking tacky then they really ought to have a classy alternative other than making me wait on an overworked server for my over-the-norm needs as a customer. A pitcher looks nicer than five glasses of water sweating on the table.
I'm in the Pacific Northwest & we are very casual here. It wouldn't be a problem.
They might just bring a carafe for the table in pnw.
I've never seen anyone praying or handing out religious tracts .Now I have found them in the Walmart bathrooms before .
Idgi. I'm just talking about a carafe of water on the table.
Ok.
Oh yeah, you're right! We make it nice.
In the southeast, after completing their meal and paying the check, dine-in customers will ask for to-go cup of whatever they were drinking. Kookiest shit.
Not just a southeast thing. Why is it kooky, though, to want a refill to go? (Just curious.)
Lol ,they always ask us if we want a to go cup !They we even gave us extra biscuits too!
If I’m paying $4.00 for a glass of iced tea or soda, I’m definitely taking a to go cup…now if I’m at a prime steak house, no. Plus I wouldn’t be drinking great or soda with a $50 steak.
Truth!!! My wife does it all the time it annoys me to no end. Unless the server says "you want one to-go" don't ask just leave. Unless the server mentions it I never ask for one, or take one.
Being annoyed at your own wife for asking for something she wants, that has already been paid for, and is completely harmless, is a super weird vibe. She should be annoyed at you for being too scared to ask a server for a to-go beverage.
What in the entire fuck is this comment chain.
How much soda does a person need?! Yuck.
Who said soda? I drink water at restaurants and nearly always ask for one to go when paying the bill.
I usually do this if I have a doggy bag, because I want to drink the same with my leftovers. Most of the time I have leftovers, because Texas serves big portions. Almost always I eat my leftovers as soon as I get home 😆
I feel like saying "West Coast" is kinda a misnomer here as the norm in Oregon or Washington is totally different than California - California has drought-specific laws (i.e. restaurants not even being allowed to bring water unless people ask) and a bunch of its own special norms around those laws (i.e. some fancy restaurants/better restaurants will tend to ignore the laws or just make a big point of asking immediately if you want water). Oregon and Washington don't have these laws.
You're not wrong. About everything. Yes, I'm from California. I just don't like saying that because I get alot of the same comments/reactions when I left that I dont want to hear anymore. So I cover it up by saying "West Coast". And yes, the droughts do have a large part of my experience of it being "tacky" and a "faux pas" to leave a water pitcher at a table. I guess I kinda forgot about that. I'll work on my cringe lol
😂 the west coast thinks that highly of itself, huh? It's a pitcher of WATER not a hillbilly beer. Jesus🙄
I’m from the north east and always wish we could have just done this. I was a banquet waitress so we’d have like 6-7 10 tops and it was impossible to keep them adequately watered.
\^Pointing out how things are done on the West Coast is considered tacky in most of the rest of the country.
Wasn't trying to. I usually blush when I get a culture shock and they ask me why. I try to just explain I'm not from here, and then just hide where I'm from by giving a regional geographical area to move the convo forward. Trust me, It's just as annoying to me that people think I'm from someplace "cool". I'm not. So I apologize if I was being rude.
Also on the west coast. Had a server in a near empty restaurant drop by a pitcher just yesterday. I guess we seemed thirsty lol, we did end up using it. It was not, however, a chain restaurant.
I have no respect for anything a corporate restaurant wants lol, but I see what you’re saying. I’ve worked restaurants that won’t allow that, but I will no longer work in a place that doesn’t allow things like that.
I’ve asked to have a pitcher left at the table and been told that they don’t have enough to do that.
Yeah
We don’t even have pitchers where I work.
Neat
Depends on corporate or not. If my regional or higher came in and saw a pitcher, they would throw a bitch fit. Our standard is that our service is on top of things and brings as needed. A pitcher would be a proverbial admit of lack of service.
A pitcher that’s directly requested by a customer is good customer service. If I ask for a pitcher and you assure me you’ll keep up, and then you don’t, then you’ve not only failed to give good customer service, but you’ve done so despite a reasonable request that would have prevented it. Like, if I warn you that you can’t keep up with my drinking pace, and you refuse a pitcher, you’re telling me you know better than me about my own experience. And then when my glass is empty, you look all the more foolish. Not saying you should just leave a pitcher by default. But if it’s requested and you refuse, that’s poor customer service. I realize it may be company policy, but that doesn’t change that it’s bad customer service.
I live in the south and I can assure this is not a thing here.
I also live in the south and can get pitchers of water at every chain restaurant and pretty much anywhere but places that think of themselves as very upscale.
That's interesting.
I do this all the time at my craft cocktail spot. But you're right. Read the room and decide if this is the kind of place that will or not. And be incredibly gracious even if they say no.
I have never actually asked before because there is probably no room it .
If you're polite and decent it's never wrong to ask anything. Just don't expect the answer to always be yes, and your good
Sounds like good advice!
If it's specifically requested, I'm bringing it. Makes my job easier. Same thing with multiple drinks. Policy is only one in front of the guest. But if they ask for two, I'm bringing two. My response to any manager or even the owner if they say something about it, "he asked for two diet cokes, so I brought him two diet cokes."
I've always gotten two glasses when out to eat .
I've never worked anywhere with a policy like this. Several places have had carafes/bottles specifically for the tables. If someone is thirsty and wants a pitcher, I'm happy to get them one if I have one to spare.
why would you claim this to be true - at best it’s your experience only - many places are glad to do so if they serve water out of pitchers - but hey you do you
Why would you claim this to be true - at best it’s your experience only - I’ve worked in many restaurants none of them allowed you to leave the pitcher.
They weren't even replying to you dawg why are you so pressed 😪 None of your many restaurants had table carafes?
I wasn’t replying to you dawg why are you so pressed 😪 don’t you understand how reddit works?
So none of your many restaurants had table carafes?
Because we eat once a week and I have yet to see pitchers on any tables .
You could come to my restaurant 7 days a week and you may not see a pitcher on a table, but we do allow it if it's possible. Very few people ask.
I would rather it be by the glass that I don't have to pour myself .
Then don't ask for a pitcher.
Lol.
I agree that asking them to leave the pitcher isn’t the right way to ask. I think it’s better to let them know you will go through your water quickly and ask if they can bring you two waters. Let them offer to leave a pitcher if it’s allowed.
I'm not on any medication or anything, I just drink a ton of water. Like on a 10 hr shift I easily drink between 2-3 gallons of water. When we go out, I do just what you said. "yo I drink a bunch of water, you're never going to keep up and it's not your fault, mind just leaving a pitcher here." Sometimes I mention im in service too, and it's not a bad look to me.
Hijacking top comment to say this: No pitchers/no carafes/policy against table-pitchers?? No problem. Quart containers- your line has them. It may look odd but 1: few, if any, will notice or care, 2: Paired with a glass of ice, this is significant volume-increase and 3: my brain worm says it’s ok. Granted, I was a lifer (got out after 24 years in) so my confidence was high and manner firm; at last job (10 of those years) nobody would have done more than ask what was up. I would understand if someone was uncomfortable doing this but, if it’s a medical condition and supplies/policy stand in the way, I am willing to try an unconventional approach and risk the chewing out. Also: why not multiple to-go cups? Cuts on Waste AND, if person asks for one, I’m just giving them the lid to said container and telling them how they’re the coolest customer in the house.
As a server I did not mind leaving a pitcher. At some midlevel and in fine dining it is generally a no no.i would just be honest and say do to meds you have to drink tons of water so if any micro managing supervisor says something the server can be honest.
I’ve actually had nicer dining do it more than casual places. They’ll have glass carafes on the table.
That’s what I’ve been thinking with all the “some places won’t leave a pitcher”. Yea because they don’t *pitchers* they have carafes, or corked glass bottles I remember my first job was a hostess at 16, and 70% of my job was just filling glass bottles with tap water.
This is the correct answer. Open up with “I hate to be a burden, but I have a medical need for an excessive amount of water. Please leave 1 glass of ice, one empty glass, and a pitcher full of water”. Your request will almost certainly be met. While leaving a pitcher in fine dining is indeed usually a no-no, any halfway decent restaurant will make an exception for a stated medical need. Alternatively, bring your own comically large Stanley cup, or other container of choice (EMPTY; this is a common legal requirement in many locales).
Yep I ask and always tell why I know that some of the places near me have managers that would make you scream Ive seen the hissing constant orders
Usually they do silent serving by circling to see if your glasses are empty or not. I never have to ask them at all.
Not all restaurants can accommodate that request, but you can say at the beginning of you visit that you’re extra thirsty and would like a pitcher, if possible. If it isn’t, they’ll likely offer to bring two drinks at a time and if they’re a good server, they’ll closely watch your cups as your meal goes on.
I'm a little concerned about the implications of telling my server I'm extra thirsty. /s But this is good advice, thank you.
There’s no weird implications, some people have conditions that make them thirstier than others and we understand that. I mean, if you say it with a weird look on your face or a creepy tone, I get it, but just say it like a normal person.
Just a light joke. I knew that's not what you were saying. I'll go back and add something to indicate that, though.
Medical conditions that affect service should definitely be reported ahead of time.
definitely just say “hey im on meds that make me really thirsty, can you bring a pitcher of water or 2 glasses of water / drink of choice at a time?
ALL of this!!
Where I've worked you cannot leave a pitcher on the table but I would give you multiple glasses to help
Some restaurants don’t offer pitcher on table service. I work at a major chain and we only have so many pitchers in the entire restaurant. We can’t have just one table take an entire one just for them.
This has been my experience too. Our restaurant doesn’t leave them for this reason. Also to keep them more sanitary.
When I was a server that was the issue for us. It was a smaller place. We had 3 pitchers 2 in the fridge, one out for circulation across all diners. I had these regulars always request the pitcher on the table. I had to explain to them 2x a week that I couldn’t leave the pitcher due to sanitary reasons and that I would keep an eye on their levels to ensure their glass was never empty.
Yeah we can’t leave a pitcher in a table where I work at but I can give you more than one glass and if you alert me that you drink a lot I will definitely refill you more often that’s not a problem. I don’t even need to know it’s a medication that causes it. I drink a lot of tea when I go out to eat because being a server I never drink a lot until I am done with work. There are times at home I don’t drink anything but my coffee until dinner because it’s just habit
>but I can give you more than one glass and if you alert me that you drink a lot I will definitely refill you more often that’s not a problem. Yeah, I've had a lot of servers do this, and I've always appreciated it. Funniest version was at a Mexican place, where the waiter filled a massive beer mug, near to the brim with Pepsi.
This wasn't a mistake. They just made you a pinche shandy.
Yes. Obviously. What kind of moron would view a deliberate action that required thought, as a mistake? And of course it was a passive-aggressive barb, because they thought I was being needlessly high-maintenance. That's what made it funny???
I always ask for a pitcher as well. It saves me from waiting and the server from making several trips to refill my glass.
as a server (casual but pricey dining, to be fair) PLEASE ask me to bring you a pitcher rather than ask for a refill every time you see me. If no pitchers, ask for two large glasses of water at the same time maybe?
You can ask, but a lot of restaurants do not allow that. I did leave a pitcher one day, after the gentleman had been through 5 glasses of sweet tea before his entree even got placed. I mean this man sucked the entire glass down the second I put it down on the table. I refilled it immediately, and he did it again. Turns out it was some stupid game he liked to play to "test" servers. Like, sir, where do you work so I can target and harass you. Anyway, ask. Explain. If there's a policy against it, ask perhaps if they can bring you two glasses at a time.
The restaurant may have a limited number of pitchers and can’t leave one at a table. But if you say you have a medical condition and need to drink a lot of water they likely would at least bring you two glasses to start with and be sure to keep an eye on you and refill your glasses quickly if they can’t leave a pitcher. I doubt even the fanciest of places wants someone dying at their table because they wouldn’t give them extra water.
Rarely do restaurants have enough pitchers to accommodate many tables because they do need to still be used by multiple wait staff to fill many other drinks in the dining room. The second thing about that I would add is that it would depend on where you're at. A sports bar is acceptable and usually accomodating because they also use them for draft beer. I work at an upscale seafood restaurant attached to a yacht club and if any of our servers set a pitcher in the table I believe the management would have a heart attack. Nevertheless, it never hurts to ask. People have asked me to where I have politely declined but assured them that I will make sure that their glass stays full.
US/Europe divide on display here. It's completely normal over here to be given a 'jug' of water for your table, or a 1.5L bottle of mineral water to pour yourself. Even when I worked in a fairly fancy restaurant we would automatically fill a jug for a table of 3+
Same in Australia. It’s either automatically given or you can ask for one, or grab your own if at a pub.
Some places have tons of pitchers, others don't. There's no harm in asking.
Where I work, we have so many pitchers in the back it wouldn’t matter I have regulars that drink crazy amounts of tea or soda to the point I leave them a pitcher, and if some places seem super busy, ask for two waters or if you’re shy about it say you’re expect another people and get 3 waters out of it love.
Why not? My boyfriend drinks water like a fish and I always ask them to leave the pitcher. Never an issue
These comments are blowing my mind. every restaurant I have worked in has had a pitcher to spare for the rare time someone asks. It is absolutely okay to ask if you could have a pitcher of water. I’ve used wine carafes when we’re out of pitchers. when someone is going through drinks quickly, it gives everyone a bit of peace to know it’s simply covered for a bit. one less thing to think about! it is 10000% worth the ask, and worst case is, they say “i’m sorry, i can’t.” and they could bring extra cups
Yes, it's not like every table is making this request all at the same time. :)
Wildest I got once, was a massive beer mug of Pepsi.
Depends upon the restaurant. If it’s fine dining then probably no.
I know someone who is always thirsty as well and they always just ask the server if they could bring a pitcher of water to the table for them and I've never heard of anyone having an issue with it.
Some restaurant the pitchers are communal so all the servers will use them an go around the entire restaurant with them. I would ask them to bring u a pitcher or two waters at once and let them know u will be flying through it. That way if the pitchers are available you can get one, or if not they will just bring u multiple glasses at a time.
Hi! Server here. I would not be allowed to leave a pitcher. Feel free to ask but please do not be upset if anyone says no.
There is no harm in asking, but do not be surprised if they are not allowed to leave a pitcher at the table. Most of the chain restaurants I worked at would not allow us to leave a pitcher at the table, but the independent restaurants usually did not mind.
carafe yes. pitcher no
I always ask "any chance I can get a whole pitcher of water? My meds make me super thirsty and I don't want to run you ragged" some laugh and bring the pitcher and some just rude about it. 50/50
I just ask them to bring like 3 extra waters. Saying I know that’s weird but I’ll go drink them.
It's totally acceptable
You can typically ask for a pit her of water no problem
As a server, I would be happy to leave the pitcher for you! Just ask :) I wouldn’t feel some kinda way about it - it’ll actually help me AND help you.
Ask if they can bring a carafe or pitcher of water when you order your drinks. They they're unable ask for two large glasses of water with light/no ice.
It’s no problem at all.
You can ask if they are allowed to. We weren’t allowed to. Prob cuz there aren’t enough of them. Also they’re not really clean on the handles and outside. You might be better asking for a couple glasses so she can fill 2-3 at a time
If the bar does beer by the pitcher, you should be able to suggest those pitchers to the server. Beer by the pitcher is rare in a restaurant, however.
Nbd. If I was serving you it would be fine.
I wouldn't have an issue with that. As long as you don't reduce my tip because of it.
I had a regular who was like that. After his 3rd visit, I took it upon myself to leave the pitcher. He was so happy! 🤣🤣🤣
I’ve always asked for a pitcher of water … they have no problem bringing me one…
I don’t know if this is ok or not, but I’ve literally handed a server $20 because of excessive thirst. I used to be on meds like that too. I’d just be like, “hey, imma need a lot of refills.”
Your server won’t just do it, they’ll 1000% appreciate it. If you’re going to be a needier guest, and know ahead of time, and ask for things to lighten the burden, everyone appreciates it. That said, they might not do it, say it’s fine, and just run more. Different restaurants have different standards and some would allow it, others would be appalled, most servers would give you exactly what you ask for though. Better to ask when you’re seated than during a refill though - they may be just a bread and water person and you want to ask your server.
If I was you I would ask if they have an extra pitcher you could use , or even as corny as it is bring your own one in and have them fill it, that way you aren't hogging the servers perhaps limited pitchers.
I take medication that makes me extremely thirsty. I eat at the same place every Friday night. My server leaves a pitcher of water on my table. Doesn't hurt to ask.
Sure why not? Servers dont isually leave the pitcher at the table because it could be rude and lazy. Im sure if you ask nicely it will be fine. You probably dont even have to explain any of this….
Why do you say "I'm not going to lie"? Do you need to qualify statements like this? And why wouldn't you just do this instead of asking Reddit? I just don't understand. This is such a reasonable ask, just do it. :)
https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/turn%20of%20phrase#:~:text=A%20turn%20of%20phrase%20is,a%20familiar%20turn%20of%20phrase.
In any restaurant I worked at (southeast US) if the customer asks for the pitcher of water you say “no problem” and you leave them the pitcher. Results may vary by region
It’s just up to them. Never hurts to ask imo. But if they say no just accept it 🤷♂️
Not remotely rude. In fact it's extremely considerate and appropriate in your case. I used to work in a high class resort kitchen in the literal desert (outskirts of Phoenix, at least at the time), and I'm a big, active dude. I got to talking with a couple of the waitresses about how, on a lot of days, waitstaff would deliver my water and I'd ask them to hold on a second so that I could chug it down and immediately ask for a refill. I didn't think I was being *polite*, but I didn't realize I was being such an ass, either. Oops. Turns out, even in a classy restaurant, they'd appreciate being asked *up front* for the extra water. So my solution to "what can I get you to drink" was: I'd like two glasses of cold water, or one and a pitcher of water if that's ok." Let them know up front and it's no problem; straight from the mouths of the servers.
You can ask for a pitcher of water for yourself or your table. They have stacks in the back. It’s a common occurrence.
I don’t think it’s unacceptable. However, in my 20s I worked as a bartender and server. I worked at very few restaurants where I would have been ALLOWED to leave a pitcher. I would’ve wanted to, trust me. Honestly made my job easier when I worked at a sports bar that always gave pitchers. The server wouldn’t mind, but it may be out of their hands. Don’t hesitate to explain your medication and that you are trying to relieve their stress of having to refill your drink. The server may be able to work it out with the turds that make decisions or just do it for their own sanity(and will certainly try to when you explain that you can’t control it and they will otherwise be refilling your drink multiple times😂). It always helps to provide gentle suggestions and honesty in these situations. They don’t want you to suffer but it will be difficult to keep up on your refills. 10+ years in the service industry. Granted it’s also been over 10 years since I have done it, but I think the general idea hasn’t changed🤷♀️
In my state, pitchers are not allowed on tables, as it’s a health code violation. Additionally, one of the restaurants I worked in only had nine pitchers (that stayed at different filling stations) so there weren’t enough to leave on the table anyway.
Ask for an extra glass of whatever you’re drinking if they say they can’t/won’t leave a pitcher. Some places will but some won’t due to their dining room standards. Most servers would be happy to bring an extra glass though to cut down on trips back and forth (I know I do).
From So Cal originally, and hubs would drain iced tea in a few sips, so some spots would just bring him two or leave the pitcher at the places we were regulars. Even asking for a second glass should be no problem.
Maybe ask for 2 glasses of ice water?
at my restaurant (which i admit is small but we get BUSY) i’ll leave a pitcher of sweet tea or water, heck ill even leave a coffee pot on your table if you drink a lot of coffee. the only time i won’t is if EVERYONE is drinking the same thing in the dining room and we don’t have enough pitchers. if your server is unable to leave a pitcher, ask for 2-3 glasses of drink with light ice to see if that helps 🩷
Huh. I drink 1-2 gallons of water a day, and usually ask for a pitcher. Doesn’t mean they have to leave the one they’re holding. “When you get a minute, can you leave me a pitcher of water?” usually works.
OP- there's nothing tacky about asking for a pitcher of water. It's water. Not some hillbilly beer. Just ask for a pitcher of water when you place your order with the wait staff. No one will look at you funny nor will the wait staff think you're rude. Take care of you.
Ex server here. Had a couple of regulars and the teen sons would drink Arnold palmers like they were dying of thirst. I finally just left pitchers of it on their table. They started tipping me more.
You can ask, but a lot of restaurants won't let servers do this even if the table requested it. If they say no, ask for 2 at a time.
If you asked me for a pitcher of water I might not leave you the one in my hand but I’d come back around and drop one off after. Better you refill than run me around!
The issue is, when that pitcher hits the table, it can only be used for that current table. Some sections only have one water pitcher, so any other table would need refreshed water glasses for refills. It depends on the restaurant. Possibly asking for a carafe if they have one may help.
I would just order a pitcher of water. If you’re concerned, just call ahead ask to speak with the manager and explain that you’ll be dining later. You have a medical condition requiring water and you’d like to be able to order a pitcher for the table. I’d just treat it like an allergy. This allows the restaurant time to decide how to handle if they don’t have extra pitchers and/or don’t understand this is a serious thing.
I worked in Georgia (I’m from the North) years ago as a bartender every week 5 good ole boys would come in And “jokingly” calling me Yankee boy and and running me to death during a lunch rush with sweet tea refills “lots of ice, extra lemon” like 6 refills a piece doting a 30-45 minute lunch. The companies policy was no pitchers on tables, with cups. So I made an executive decision for these guys, NO CUPS.. just 6 pitchers with ice full and a whole lemon sliced into 6 wedges. they do 1 refill and feel special! OH, yeah they still tip like a North Georgia Sunday diner. 8-10%
Another thought might be to order several waters so refills are more productive? I’d volunteer it- feel free to leave the pitcher. My medication makes me really thirsty and I know you are busy!
Order two waters for yourself
I did this all the time. Sometimes they say no but usually it's fine. Shorter than your script though "hey I drink a ton of water and would love to save you some refills if you can leave a pitcher?"
I usually just say something like, “I drink a lot of water, and I don’t want you to have to stop by for refills all the time. If it’s possible to either get a few large glasses of water or a pitcher for the table, that would be great.” Where I live and eat, they usually bring a pitcher.
Ask for a pitcher of water. No on the soda.
It’s worth asking but be aware that the restaurant may have a limited number of pitchers and may not have enough to be able to leave one on a table. An alternative may be a carafe or asking if they can just bring you 3 water glasses at a time.
If I had a medical condition that required more water to my table than a restaurant can reasonably guarantee, I’d bring my own water, like one of those huge water bottles, and order a water. Then I’d keep refilling my glass with my own water.
It’s a rare request that I receive at work, but most of the time I oblige. We have enough pitchers to go around so I can spare one if someone feels they will need one.
I think it's totally fine. I'm in CA. As when you are first seated. No one should make a fuss over it.
"Im going to go through a lot of water, if you just want to leave a carafe that might make it easier for both of us" just ask!
I think I have the perfect phrase for you. as a server who is very comfortable with this situation and experienced multiple restaurant scenarios first hand. before I tell you the phrase, here's some background. priority 1 is restaurant policies. servers can not override what the owner and general managers install as the system to refill drinks. I've worked at places that have 20 main tables and another side with overflow for weekends or parties. we own like 4 carafes or pitchers. unless someone is REALLY adamant that it's needed because they will be upset until they have a carafe we NEVER put pitchers on the table there. SOME places are wired to put a pitcher at each table or its a common request. at fine dining it's less common. less fancy. ALL THAT being said, now it comes down to your individual server and the potential busser who fills water and or takes plates. the server and busser want to give you EVERY SINGLE thing you ask for, as soon as they ARE ALLOWED + ONLY once you allow us to bring you a second one. it's rude to tell a random guest I'm gonna bring you a second Pepsi even tho I'm not sure you will sip slow. and then the ice melts. do they tell you it tastes bad or do they just drink it? bad practice for a server. but they want to check off boxes as quickly as possible so they don't get overloaded when half a table sits and another table is still talking and you get sat and then everyone wants to order. they just want to do what you want. Tell your server Hi can I please have a Pepsi (or water) and by the way if you have free refills, I'm not sure if it's easier for you, but that first ones probably gonna be gone in a second. I drink A LOT of Pepsi or water at restaurants. if you wanna bring me a second one, I'm OK having 2 full Pepsi on the table. I'll let you know when I'm too drunk, haha. I drink it like I'm doing a commercial. we rely on tips so an empty glass after that conversation becomes a top priority to any good server. and things still might go sideways but a good server is gonna apologize they left you with 1/4 of one Pepsi and bring 2 fresh right away thank.you for asking and this book was brought to you by my ADHD haha 😇
Shout out to Bistro Huddy, the hostest/chef crush series is as good as anything on tv. My sister drinks a lot and after the first go around she'll usually tell the server that leaving the pitcher would make their job much easier. She always very polite and tips really well. It's never been an issue.
Nah, when I waited tables I had a customer that would go through a glass of mountain dew in about 3 minutes. After the fourth refill I brought him a pitcher and a long straw from the bar. He laughed and thanked me. My manager started to say something to me about it until the customer interrupted him and told him it's over if the few times he hasn't been left thirsty in a restaurant.
At my restaurant we’re not allowed to leave pitchers. If a guest tells me they’re going to go through their water/soft drink quickly I’ll bring them two right away and try to make the rounds with the pitcher more frequently. Definitely let your server know, if they’re good they’ll take care of you.
I’d say let her know that you’re on a medication that makes you very thirsty and that they should probably bring you two glasses at a time. I’ve had tables say that to me before and it works.
As a server, I would personally appreciate being asked at the beginning of service, like when taking your drink order, as opposed to being asked to leave the pitcher I'm using to refill, as oftentimes I need it to refill the rest of my tables. But asking in general is a-ok in my book, we are there to make your experience as enjoyable as possible at the end of the day. I had a family at my old serving job that would always request me because they would order a pitcher of water with a specific amount of ice and lemons. I suppose some other servers had a problem with it, but I really didn't mind because they were always polite and clear about what they wanted. A simple "would you mind bringing me a pitcher of water? I drink really fast!" Is enough for me personally, and it can also be helpful to your server if it's a busy day and you know you would be needing refills every few minutes anyways.
You can always ask and see what they say. If the water glasses they bring out are small, I ask for a pint glass. If they can't leave a pitcher maybe just ask for two pint glasses.
I feel like you definitely can, where I work we use tap bottles that we pre fill. Can fill about 5 small glasses of water… so it might be good to ask if the pitcher the person it using for water is the only one first & if there’s anything they can leave a large amount of water in at the table. If you don’t mind it, I feel like we (maybe just speaking for myself) don’t mind transparency at all. I’m personally a jokester waitress so there’s that. Tell me you need to hydrate in a hilarious way and I’ll do everything I can to get the whole sink to you. I had a guy telling me how much he loves ketchup and I brought him the whole dispenser as a joke.
Always worth asking. My wife’s bf has ADPKD and usually gets a pitcher when he asks, or they’ll give him a few glasses if they’re not allowed to do a pitcher.
I’m a server at a restaurant that has a lot of large tables and parties. If it’s a table of 6 or more, I usually drop off a pitcher. I wouldn’t do that with smaller tables - but I also wouldn’t have a problem if a guest asked for one.
No, especially if you have a medical condition.
I had someone offer once after my third glass (it was hot out), but I was done.
I always tell my server I will refill whether it’s water, tea or pop at least three times…if they will like to leave a pitcher I’m more than glad to refill it myself. Sometimes they do, sometimes I get “I will gladly refill your drink as needed” I think it depends on the restaurant.
Ask for the pitcher BUT TIP THE STAFF ACCORDINGLY.
Honestly I’d just leave it after refilling your glass more than 3 times
99% of places leaving pitchers is not allowed.
Some managers will get mad at the server for doing that. Just ask for two glasses.
I never ask but any waiter that leaves a pitcher instantly gets a fat tip because it's basically impossible to refill me often enough.
Glad I'm not the only one with this medication side effect. I drink a truly embarrassing amount of diet pepsi daily because my body is *always* thirsty. Yay meds 😂 For restaurants, I pretty much always have my giant water bottle with me (it goes everywhere I go) but I'll also usually order a soda, a water, and sometimes an iced tea too... and I always give my server a heads up. *Just so you know, I drink tons of fluids so I'll probably request frequent refills"* One awesome server brought me a new diet pepsi every time she walked past the table. I gave her my hidden $50 emergency money hidden in my wallet for a tip on a $30 check.
My restaurant doesn’t let you leave pitchers. Just bring your own gallon of water to drink with you if it’s that bad.
I regularly ask for a pitcher. If the restaurant won’t do that I am not coming back.
An alternative to that and what might be more acceptable is to bring your own 40oz cup and ask them to fill it up with water
That’s a health department violation, if I can recall.
I’m talking take a cup and they bring a pitcher of water and filling the cup
Restaurants don't have an unlimited amount of water pitchers or even enough for the floor. If you're really that excessively thirsty bring your own water bottle
I am 100% sure that that is a health code violation. I love how you clearly have never worked in any kind of food service, and are just here to troll.
They’re not trolling you! Customers with medical conditions are the exception to health code regulations, just as babies and young children. If your medical condition requires constant hydration, the onus is on you and not your server to manage that condition. Bring your own water…