Bringing Crystal Light Packets Into Restaurants Tacky or Okay?

[wdwfan16]

Tea has about 1/2 the caffeine than coffee, about 60 grams vs. 130 grams. I drink tea after 3 pm, but don't drink coffee that late.

Coke has half of that, 35 grams. Not really a huge amount.

 

[jrmasm]

I would never bring outside food into resturant

That's how I view this issue. There drinks available at the restaurant.

Would you bring Pepsi to a restaurant that only sold Coke products?

 

[Aisling]

I would never bring outside food into resturant

I wouldn't either. But slipping a tiny pouch of crystal light into a glass of water is no biggie.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Op, I think it's fine if you brought Crystal Light.

But I also wanted to say that diet Sprite or 7up have no caffeine, and most diet root beers have no caffeine (depending on the brand). So if you didn't have any CL those would be options.

I prefer water with lemon (just lemon, no sweetener) to most anything. And I don't order that just to tick people off...I really don't drink soda all that much. I do like unsweetened ice tea, but only if it's fresh brewed and not the Nestea canned stuff. I would be really upset if I couldn't drink what I wanted to in a restaurant.

 

[ZachnElli]

I don't think it's a big deal. I find it interesting that so many people do! Some of the Crystal Light packets, when mixed in are clear, so if done discreetly, a server wouldn't even know! Unless, fruit punch is your favorite (it's mine!). I haven't done it, I usually order a diet soda, but I haven't been told to get rid of caffiene either. I've never seen diet Sprite or diet 7up offered at a restaurant either.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I personally would say it depends on what drinks are offered at the restuarant. If they serve a (paid) beverage that you are able to drink (ie. a diet, caffeine free drink) then I would say it would be tacky to bring in crystal light packets. If they don't serve any drinks that you are able to drink then I don't really see a problem with bringing in a packet, although I probably wouldn't do it myself.

I agree with this. In my area, though, there are very few restaurants that offer a diet, caffiene free drink. It's usually Coke (or Pepsi), Diet Cola, Sprite, root beer, Mountain Dew.

While I would never make "lemonade" by squeezing lemons and Splenda into my water glass, it's not as simple as just ordering a lemonade, which is most likely sugar-sweetened.

I can have a little caffeine, but not a lot. I'll just get a Diet Coke in a restaurant because I drink caffeine free drinks at home. But I really wish more restaurants would offer a Diet Sprite, diet lemonade or Caffeine Free Diet Coke.

 

[stashbin]

I think it's totally acceptable, especially if you mx it in your water discreetly and don't make a big deal out of it.

That's the key. Don't make a big deal of it.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I voted tacky, but that was before I saw that it was mroe due to a medical issue rather than just trying to cheap out on the bill. You could always bring a water bottle of premixed beverage with you, and ask for a glass of ice. That way you're not leaving any extra trash for the server or busser to clean up after you once you've left.

I can't see how it would be cheaping out on the bill. The restaurants i go to generally charge no more than $2.50 for a soda or lemonade etc. Its a little more than the coffee but still that bottomless glass. Its not like you're really saving that much just to order the water ya know.

OP I've thought about doing this cause there are restaurants I go to that don't serve the soda I like and sometimes I'm just not in the mood for water, but I haven't had Crystal Light in so long I'm not even sure if I'd like it.

 

[Golf4food]

Acceptible. If you don't drink soda and don't want just plain water and the restaurant doesn't offer anything else, then I have no problem with it. If the restaurant offers a flavored water or similar then it would be tacky.

 

[ilovefh]

I don't think it's a big deal. I find it interesting that so many people do! Some of the Crystal Light packets, when mixed in are clear, so if done discreetly, a server wouldn't even know! Unless, fruit punch is your favorite (it's mine!). I haven't done it, I usually order a diet soda, but I haven't been told to get rid of caffiene either. I've never seen diet Sprite or diet 7up offered at a restaurant either.

OP here.

My husband recently brought home the fruit punch and it is now my favorite!

They didn't have anything that was both caffeine free and sugar free. Someone mentioned diet Root Beer. For the occasional soda I love Waist Watchers brand diet Root Beer!

I really enjoy reading all of the feedback! My husband suggested it yesterday and I was curious what others thought of it!

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

I can't see how it would be cheaping out on the bill. The restaurants i go to generally charge no more than $2.50 for a soda or lemonade etc. Its a little more than the coffee but still that bottomless glass. Its not like you're really saving that much just to order the water ya know.

Some people eat out several times a week, and that $2.50 adds up to be enough for them to want to save. These are also people that I've stopped going out to dinner with.

 

[*Fantasia*]

But she isnt doing it for budget reasons, she is doing it for medical reasons. Big difference.

I don't think it matters. Water is still an option.

Even then... why not just drink water???

Agree.. What's wrong with water? She can drink Crystal Light at home, at work, at the mall, in the car.. I'm sure it won't hurt to drink water once in a while.

 

[Julie Lynn]

DH and I had this discussion today and I wanted other opinions. Lately I have been dealing with some anxiety issues and my Dr. recommended getting rid of caffeine and sugar in my drinks. Today we went out for lunch and I ordered water. DH suggested next time to order water and bring a Crystal Light singles packet to add to it. So what do you think....is this tacky or acceptable?

My parents are diabetic and always do this, I feel a little funny when they hand me a pack and then I do it as I feel kind of cheap. One time my parents went to a restaurant put Crystal Light in their water & the waitress charged them for two Iced Teas. Instead of saying something to the waitress they just didn't leave her a tip which I think they should have just said something to the waitress cuz I don't know if she did it on purpose or if she thought she forgot to charge them for an iced tea. When it cost $2.39 for a glass of soda or iced tea it is an alternative and it's not like they didn't buy food there however they could just drink plain water but I always think that the restaurants don't want you to just order water cause it looks like you're being cheap too. I used to have a boyfriend who asked for lemon water, then added sugar to it to make lemonade when most people have that on the menu. He was just being cheap & I thought that was tacky.

 

[tvguy]

I guess that explains why some restaurants have signs that say "No outside food or drink". I never would have thought to do it.

 

[jump00]

What a great question- we just got back from a week long WDW vacation and I brought my packets with me everyday. Not a fan of plain water so it was wonderful to get the free ice water at each QS and pour it in. I was too embarrassed to try it at the TS........ However when we were at California Grill our lovely waitress saw one of my packets and insisted I use it. I was too embarrassed but she said please - anything that helps you stay hydrated is fine by any restaurant at wdw. How sweet of her. Still I did ask at any TS we went too- no problem at any one of them.

Jump00

 

[Kaytie]

When it cost $2.39 for a glass of soda or iced tea it is an alternative and

When you patronize a business that sells a particular type of item, it is and should be expected that you purchase all that type of item.

Would you bring / your own fries to McDonald's?

I know it's a zombie thread, but I still voted "tacky."

 

[Poohforyou]

I don't think it's a big deal. If you didn't add it you'd just drink plain water, which is free.

I'd probably bring lemonade flavor in liquid form so I could just discretely squirt a little in and not have it be obvious.

I JUST REALIZED THIS IS A ZOMBIE THREAD

 

[bcla]

Wow zombie thread. I guess I can be pretty cheap too. Occasionally I'll drink water out of my water bottle at a fast food place. Maybe even fill it from the fountain there. I wouldn't bring a drink packet though.

I've seen plenty of people just grab a water cup and fill it with a beverage other than water.