Does anyone ever order hot water with lemon?

[hsk]

...instead of, say tea? and if you do, do you expect it to be free? Just curious. I went for lunch with some friends and someone ordered that, and asked for honey, too. I though it was a little weird. The restaurant didn't charge for it, BTW.

[relativeways1]

I like drinking it in the morning for breakfast. It makes me poop.

[jfood]

jfood sometimes like a mint or cammomile tea after a meal. If the restaurant only has Lipton types, he would consider hot water and lemon. Should this be free, no. should it be the full tea charge, probably not.

[FrankJBN]

I have known several people that would order this.

So do those of you that think a cup of hot water is an odd order or should bear a charge pay for a glass of cold water with ice, lemon and a straw? Seems about the same amount of extra work. (Bear in mind that it is not uncommon for water shortages to be alleged at which times some restaurants refrain from serving water unless it is asked for)

[anzu]

Are most of the people who find the hot water thing quirky, "special", peculiar, etc. not Asian? B/c I've been drinking hot water since college, and I don't understand what the big fuss is. A lot of Chinese people do it. Everyone that I have lived with thought it strange at first, and now are regular hot water drinkers. I find it strange that people think it's so strange. I'm sure hundreds of millions (yes, I know, grossly basing it on the fact that many Chinese I know do this. It's not a scientifically accurate number, I know, but just because 80 percent of the 300 million people in the U.S. don't do it doesn't mean it's "peculiar" or that people who do this are "special", bizzare, etc.) of people in the world drink warm/hot water. When I was in Beijing, restaurants served it.

I went to a wedding and had a back and forth about this w/ the server, and I finally said, "it's like tea-- without the teabag" which finally brought comprehension.

We drink water cold, room temp, so why not hot? It tastes neutral, and sometimes I don't want the flavor of a teabag, and a lot of times, they don't have herbal teas (I don't like decaf black tea), and I don't do coffee, so I do hot water.

I don't do the honey unless I'm sick, but when I go to a restaurant, I usually just take it plain. I haven't noticed whether I get charged or not, since with the warmer weather, I haven't asked for it in months, though if you have a hot water dispenser for tea, it's really not that much work to pour it. I wouldn't mind being charged for it, I suppose, though I don't see much of a difference between the cold free water we get.

[invinotheresverde]

I'm not Asian, and in the New England state I work in, I've only seen elderly people ask for this.

[srgift]

My wife frequently orders hot water with lemon particulary in the winter or if the restaurant is chilly. The only fine restaurant in new york city that has charged for this in my experience was the River Cafe in Brooklyn. They charged $3.50, the same as tea sevice. When I questioned the charge the waiter's response (incorrectly so) was that all restaurants charge for hot water. From experience, no fine restaurants charge for hot water with lemon including Daniel, Le Bernardin, Gramercy Tavern, Jean Georges, Bouley, among others.

[diablo]

My Dad does this, but he just drinks it plain. He picked it up when he gave up drinking coffee. My brother and I always thought it was strange. Didn't realize it was so common.

[NicoleFriedman]

My mom always orders hot water with lemon- not to be cheap but because she hates dark tea. She would rather dunk the teabag herself.

[invinotheresverde]

Doesn't the teabag usually come on the side? Or can't she simply request it to?

[NicoleFriedman]

She does but sometimes the restaurant doesn't have decaf or the brand she likes so she brings her own. But again- restaurants shouldn't assume everyone who does this is trying to be cheap. I've been in a similar situation- last month I had a very bad cold and was at a diner that didn't have decaf tea. (I'm not allowed to have caffiene) I wished I had carried around decaf tea in my purse like my mom does! :}

[invinotheresverde]

"... sometimes the restaurant doesn't have decaf or the brand she likes so she brings her own. "

The restaurant doesn't have the type of dry-aged Prime beef I like. Should I bring my own, ask for all the accoutrements that go with it (in the case of tea, lemon, hot water, milk, sugar/honey/Splenda, teapot, teacup, saucer, spoon,etc.) and expect it for free? That's what bringing your own teabag is essentially, on a reduced scale.

[montrealwaitress]

I've seen it at every restaurant I worked. I never charged and never minded. And I mind a lot of things...

[Caillerets]

This is the best version of it I know
http://www.canarino.com/

In a restaurant, if you can get them to twist a whole lemon and let that sit in the tea pot - it's miles better than just lemon in water

[Ljubitca]

Ok has anyone seen the movie Fatso? - there is an entire scene in it about hot water with lemon and its hysterical. As far as the cost/tipping issue - the cost of this beverage isn't going to make anyone richer or poorer whether you are the patron or the server.

[psb]

> Does anyone ever order hot water with lemon?
>
on a slightly different note ... and time zone ... a "hot lemon" is a standard
offering at ever tea house in the himalaya. keeps you warm, lots of sugar,
no caffeine. depending on which kind of green you care about, cheaper and
more enviro than beer, coke, etc.

i cant say i've ever had one below 5000ft.

re: pricing/tipping ... if i got charged for this [i thin it would be reasonable to
be charged a buck, or sothing appropriate to the venue], i'd tip on the price ...
if i wasnt charged, i'd probably up the tip by a buck in appreciation.

[Steamed Dumpling]

I used to order it all the time when I was studying in northern Germany. It was a regular menu item and cheap but not free. I have no problems ordering it in the U.S. and paying for it.

[Bite Me]

Three generations of drinking hot water and lemon. No problem ordering in restaurants. Never a negative response from servers. Sometimes we drink without the lemon. Have it daily. Love it!

[excuse me miss]

hot water with lemon is supposed to aid in digestion.

when i worked in a restaurant that had a large Asian clientelle, many, many, many of them would order hot water with lemon, usually before the meal.

[lgss]

Somewhat off-topic, but there were stories at the University of Missouri that students would order hot water (at no charge) and add ketchup for "tomato" soup. Don't know if the stories are true or not.

[soupkitten]

that's a very old homeless person's technique. i don't mind when homeless people mix ketchup & hot water to keep warm & somewhat nourished for free.

for most people, it's hot boca lemonade--something that can be tolerated in small doses-- but it should be charged for in areas where there are lots of retired folks. . . :)

[Tay]

soup
I went out for dinner last night and there was a printed card on the table that suggested donating $1 for water served. This would be sent to some sort of fund called TAP, via UNICEF, which is supplying fresh drinking water to children in other countries who do not have fresh water available.I think that would be a wonderful idea for all those Boca Lemonaders :-}

[soupkitten]

hey i have never seen that before. hmm. kinda cool in my book-- though i'd imagine many people would throw a hissy if anyone suggested what could be construed as a "water charge"--

[Tay]

soup
Probably true. It did stress that it was a voluntary thing and if anyone wanted to donate the $1 they could just add it to their check or if cash, place it in an official UNICEF cannister in the front of the Mgr's 'podium' (What is that thing called anyway?)
I contributed and asked the Hostess if there was any feedback from customers and she said, almost all the customers had commented that it was a good idea and contributed but some wondered why it was being done for people living in other countries and not for impoverished people in the US. She said she didn't want to get into any sort of discusssion that might upset customers so she just told them she didn't know why.
Personally, I don't have a problem paying for anything that requires a server's time and effort and a restauranr's resources so I'd have no problem paying a nominal charge for water with lemon regardless of where the money was going. There is no difference in labor for a server to lug a pitcher of lemon water or Coke to my table, (his/her wrist doesn't know the difference) so there should be some compensation for the server and the restaurant. I do like the idea of donating to a fund that (hopefully) provides water:Something most of us take for granted

[soupkitten]

agree with all your points Tay. i think the restaurant or unicef should provide some literature (with pics) to answer faqs about the water donations so that customers don't feel like they're throwing money at an intangible target-- so to speak. i like the idea of this water contribution & agree that it gets people to think about what "free" means in this world where we take so much for granted.

[Tay]

soup
In fact there was literature, but interestingly enough, the Hostess was told not to hand it out unless someone asked if they had anything. She said the owners are willling to support the effort, but don't want to make their customers feel 'guilty' or uncomfortable that they are enjoying a full dinner with pictures of"thirsty people around them"( Her words)

[soupkitten]

hmm. well i guess i could see not wanting to guilt the customers too, i suppose. i wonder how much money/impact this one restaurant will have over the course of a year with this effort. thanks for the food for thought, Tay. :)

[Hue]

Joe Buck(John Voight) in "Midnight Cowboy" setting in a New York dine getting a cup of hot water, crushing some crackers in the water and then addding massive amounts of ketchup....

[Tay]

Hue... Great scene... Very poignant. On the other end of the scale...
I remember seing some compliation of funny movie scenes and some young guy on Spring Break,who was obviously w/o money, sat down at a lunch counter, ordered some hot water,(I think maybe he had his own tea bag, or just asked for lemon) and took the complimentary crackers on the counter and made himself a "cracker and ketchup" sandwich.... The Counterman's facial expresssion was priceless. :-}
Apparently, ketchup is the 'Go To' condiment

[stellamystar]

Being a KU grad, I don't doubt the Mizzou stories.

[meatn3]

It isn't real common, nor is it particularly uncommon. As a former server, it really wasn't a big deal to bring out. Not going to worry about loss of a tip on the price of a cup of tea...life's short. If hot water with lemon makes them happy, thats what you are there for. I've never worked anywhere that charged for this. Just 'cos thats what they want doesn't make them high maintenance! FYI, every few years this gets a lot of press as the thing to drink 10 minutes prior to a meal to aid in weight loss. As a server you don't even have to look at the news-stand to know the idea was just printed again!

[Felixnot]

This is an activity performed by my 86 year old mother and her friends. Hot or cold. So they don't have to pay for a beverage.

It makes me insane.

[DeppityDawg]

At home I drink mug after mug of hot water all evening long. But I have never and would never order it in a restaurant because I don't want to be a "special" customer. And I'm sure this is going to turn into another tipping thread so let me get the ball rolling: $2 MINIMUM tip per mug of free hot water, $3 with lemon, $5 in New York City, $10 if you get it as room service.

[heathermb]

Asking for a cup of hot water with lemon does not constitute being a "special" customer (I am assuming here that you are using special to mean high-maintenance).

If I've had a meal of cocktail, app, entree, and wine I have NO problem asking for some hot water with lemon while my friends drink coffee and/or eat dessert.

[invinotheresverde]

You may not agree, but you will be labeled as such.

It's just such an odd request that, even though it seems normal to you, always makes restaurant people scratch our heads. WHY would someone want a mug of hot, acidic water with the faint bitter taste of lemon? ~Cringe~

[stellamystar]

My grandpa had a mug of hot water every mornign with breakfast - no lemon, though. The waitresses thought he was odd, but I doubt they charged for it (Kansas, people).
It was for digestive reasons, he thought. Don't know if it's true but he lived to be 95.!

[gini]

None of the restaurants in which I've worked has this been an issue. In fact, at one of the seafood shacks, bringing someone hot water with lemon was infinitely easier than having to deal with the added hassle making desserts.

[Tay]

invino..
I'm smiling b/c I always feel that way about people who order those killer after dinner drinks, like heavy ports. Why would they drink those lethal tasting liquids? I guess it's an 'Eye (mouth) of the beholder" sort of thing.
I agree that it seems an odd beverage of choice which is why I I think people should just order tea with lemon and request the tea bag on the side. That also lets the server know they intend to pay/tip, on the request. :-}

[hot breath]

I work as a bartender and I do not consider it to be weird or high-maintenance to order hot water with lemon. I do not charge for hot water and lemon, or plain soda water.

[invinotheresverde]

Maybe on the West Coast it's not odd, but here it'll get you a raised eyebrow every time.

[Rick]

DeppityDawg, I hope you're not serious here. You're valuing a mug of hot water at $10? (based on 20% tip).

[excuse me miss]

i'm pretty sure he was kidding.

[DeppityDawg]

We'll never know, because now he will be too embarrassed to own up to it if he wasn't kidding. Haha, can you guess who I am? I mean, who he… is…? (ooh, this is harder than DeppityDawg thought)

[heathermb]

Yes and I've never been charged for it. Usually I'll order it when I've had a long dinner and my DC(s) order coffee/tea/dessert which I often skip. So I'll get some hot water with lemon while my DCs enjoy their beverages.

[Tay]

It's sort of like the hot water version of "Boca Lemonade" If I wanted hot water, lemon and honey I'd just ask for an herbal teabag on the side, and not use it.

[smartie]

yes Tay it's hot Boca Lemonade! I think there should be a nominal charge, it's as much work for a server as bringing tea - usually because the hot water and lemon brigade send the server back for more lemons and more hot water, and, lemons these days are very expensive. It is still a cost to the restaurant.

[hsk]

Yeah, that was why I thought it was weird. I'm sure the charge for tea is not based on the 10 cent teabag, so if I wanted the pot of hot water, the cup & saucer, the spoon, the lemon and honey I'd just order tea (the teabag always comes on the side). It just never occured to me to just order hot water with lemon and honey, and I'd never seen anyone else do it. Seems like I'm just sheltered :)

[Tay]

hsk
Many restaurants serve it with the tea bag already immersed in the cup, or they serve it in small metal tea pots with the tea bag already in the water.That's why it's just better to cover all bases and specifically request the tea bag on the side :-}

[hsk]

Tay, thanks the info. I'm not a huge tea drinker (I prefer coffee if I'm not having something stronger), but I'd always understood that tea was prepared by pouring hot water OVER the teabag. Which is why the teabag is always on the side (at least AFAIK in Canada).

[Tay]

hsk
My pleasere to share information :-} I'm only going by what I've observed. The whole teabag already in the hot water pot may be some sort of attempt to 'steep' (I hope that's the correct spelling)
In some restaurants, I've actually been served pots of tea with loose tea in a mini strainer or 'tea bal'... Some places that serve a proper Afternoon Tea, will do that. It's something different and fun :-}

[purple goddess]

Charge or not, yes, I've ordered it. Usually if I'm dieting or detoxing. I drank copious quantities of this before a **ahem** delicate medical procedure last year.

[Beach Chick]

When I waited tables back in the day..I used to get so pissed because it was a huge pain in getting hot water but to not charge for it and run around for it..wtf.
There should be a charge..

[xena1441]

Is it really that difficult to get hot water? Not trying to be rude...just wondering.

[Tay]

xena
I don't think it;s any more or less difficult than getting a cup of tea. It's an 'equal labor' event. I thnk that tipping, to a large degree, should be based on the actions/labor of the Server, not just on a % of the bill. SInce I feel that it's the same labor to carry a cup of hot water or a pitcher of iced lemon water as it is to carrry a cup of tea, or a pitcher of soda, so I tend to factor that 'imaginary' cost into my tip.
Same goes for '2 for1' or 'Buy one get 2nd at half price' dinners. When figuring the tip, I do so based on what the full cost of the meal would be
w/o the dinner discounts.

[hilltowner]

Yep. People order hot water with lemon quite frequently. And, no, I don't know of any places that charge for it. In my area of the world, (kind of crunchy), people order it because they believe that warm water with lemon aids in digestion, or at least that cold water is bad for digestion. Not so sure about the honey though. Maybe to make the water taste better.