Bringing down the cost of restaurant bills

[North of Mouse]

This is way out of hand. Water is water and it's CHEAP. Can't believe people are on here for this many pages arguing about a glass of water!!!

The morality on the DIS never fails to amaze me.

Seriously, like NONE OF YOU have EVER taken a bottle of water or candy into a movie theater? EVER taken your own bottle of water into a Disney park or any other place for that matter?

EVER??

Yes, water is water and it's mostly free when served with some type of food item at restaurants, BUT that's not what the OP said She was talking about turning her *free* water into a soda, soft drink, whatever, which made it different from *water* because she (and the whole table) were too cheap to buy drinks.

Also, what does this have to do with Disney? They OPENLY allow you to bring in snacks/food/drinks. Do you actually think that if you ask a restaurant if they mind if you turn your water into a soft drink, that they would say, "no problem, go right ahead"?????

This is not an issue with me personally as even on buffets (where any drink is included) I ask for water. I would be mortified if anyone with me would try to turn their water into a soft drink at a TS. And to teach your children that it's an acceptable thing to do

Just ask, if you think it's not an issue Wow, how cheap/ill mannered can people be? Just drink water and be done with it. It really doesn't hurt anyone, and is actually healthy

OP, also, if caffeine/sugar is a problem, water has neither, so that's not much of an excuse to take your own soft drink into a TS.

 

[powellrj]

Yes, water is water and it's mostly free when served with some type of food item at restaurants, BUT that's not what the OP said She was talking about turning her *free* water into a soda, soft drink, whatever, which made it different from *water* because she (and the whole table) were too cheap to buy drinks.

Also, what does this have to do with Disney? They OPENLY allow you to bring in snacks/food/drinks. Do you actually think that if you ask a restaurant if they mind if you turn your water into a soft drink, that they would say, "no problem, go right ahead"?????

This is not an issue with me personally as even on buffets (where any drink is included) I ask for water. I would be mortified if anyone with me would try to turn their water into a soft drink at a TS. And to teach your children that it's an acceptable thing to do

Just ask, if you think it's not an issue Wow, how cheap/ill mannered can people be? Just drink water and be done with it. It really doesn't hurt anyone, and is actually healthy

OP, also, if caffeine/sugar is a problem, water has neither, so that's not much of an excuse to take your own soft drink into a TS.

You said everything I was thinking, but you said it better than I did! I am another water drinker. I will drink water even if the drink is included because I like water! I will sometimes order tea, but after way too many times of paying for bad tea, I will usually just order water out and drink tea at home!

 

[eliza61]

This is way out of hand. Water is water and it's CHEAP. Can't believe people are on here for this many pages arguing about a glass of water!!!

The morality on the DIS never fails to amaze me.

Seriously, like NONE OF YOU have EVER taken a bottle of water or candy into a movie theater? EVER taken your own bottle of water into a Disney park or any other place for that matter?

EVER??

Then don't ask the question. Seriously,not being snarky. The op posted some thing on a message board. A bunch of folks said we thought it was tacky. Has nothig to do with morality. That is the chance you run when you post on a public forum. I've gotten flamed a zillion times.

If some one ask a question about movie theater or any thing else you will get a variety of answers but don't get shake and shocked if some one doesn't agree with you.

We never said we were better than op. Op (originally) said she brings flavor packages to restaurants to cut down the cost of dining out. Her thread specifically says this, many posters think that is tacky.

 

[disneychrista]

Really, the difference is that Person A wants water and orders it.
Person B wants lemonade, but is too cheap to buy it so they bring it themselves . . the logic is Person B would pay for a lemonade if they didn't sneak one in their purse.

But does that logic hold? My guess is probably not.

At my bar, I don't want the guy who buys 1 beer and nurses it for 4 hours, he negatively effects my bottom line because that space could be used by some one who purchases more.

I run an Ale House for a brewery and for me any customer is of value.

The only way it a customer that drinks one per all night costs me money is if the bar is so crowded that customers leave.

The only way a "cheap" customers costs a restaurant money is if customers leaves due to a wait. I have not been to a restaurant in several years where there was a wait for a table.

 

[Marionnette]

This is way out of hand. Water is water and it's CHEAP. Can't believe people are on here for this many pages arguing about a glass of water!!!

The morality on the DIS never fails to amaze me.

Seriously, like NONE OF YOU have EVER taken a bottle of water or candy into a movie theater? EVER taken your own bottle of water into a Disney park or any other place for that matter?

EVER??

This is a straw man argument. Disney does not base its profitability on selling overpriced beverages. If every guest brought their own beverages into the parks, Disney would still make a profit. And the last time I checked, Disney was not confiscating bottles of Evian from guests as they pass thru security.

OTOH, theaters and restaurants make their profit on food and beverage sales. Every theater I've gone to has signs stating that no outside food is permitted. And yes, I honor that rule. The huge price for popcorn and soda is a cost that I factor in when I make plans to go to the movies. If I can't afford it, I go thirsty or wait other week until I have the $4 for a small soda.

 

[pixiewings71]

I read the first 6 pages or so, then I read the last few (skipped the migraine section) but am I the only person who was taught that you don't tip on drinks? Before anyone takes a stake to hang me, I do tip on the whole bill, but many, many people I know do not.

I order water with lemon due to trying to keep my fat intake and sugar down. I tend to order an appetizer as my entree and will order a dessert once in a while. I tip at about 20% or more depending on the service.

I guess most people do not because even though they think we are a bad table - 2 sitting in a booth due to my back injury, we usually end up being the table they really wanted. The majority of our waitstaff come back and thank us. I don't usually see them doing it to other tables.

For the record I find it tacky. If I had to add something do to my health I would ask and make sure it was okay and I would tip based on the increase of the bill, just like we do when we order water, which is most of the time.

Okay this was longer than I really wanted it but I think it is a two-fold situation as the establishment loses out and so does the wait staff unless you compensate for it, which I guess takes the budget out of this whole thread.

No you are not the only one but I do not believe this is the accepted practice anymore.

I have never heard of that. Not from my "sixy-something" Mom or her "eighty-something" Mom. lol We have always tipped on the full amount of the bill, and my Grandmother can be a stickler about things like that so if she thought we shouldn't tip on drinks she would let us know. lol

Lol, our Chinese restaurant only has singles for the same reason. They now keep flavored water just for me. But I am in there a couple of days a week helping with esl classes.

that's nice, they saw your need and filled it. We are regulars at a Thai place, they would do the same for us if we asked.

This is a straw man argument. Disney does not base its profitability on selling overpriced beverages. If every guest brought their own beverages into the parks, Disney would still make a profit. And the last time I checked, Disney was not confiscating bottles of Evian from guests as they pass thru security.

OTOH, theaters and restaurants make their profit on food and beverage sales. Every theater I've gone to has signs stating that no outside food is permitted. And yes, I honor that rule. The huge price for popcorn and soda is a cost that I factor in when I make plans to go to the movies. If I can't afford it, I go thirsty or wait other week until I have the $4 for a small soda.

Here's the thing about going to a movie, if we don't have the money for popcorn and soda we don't get them, but I almost always have some type of sugar in my purse, be it hard candy (Jolly Ranchers) or some kind of chocolate, I usually have something. So if they searched my purse they would find it. Now, I don't normally eat it but I might have it. As for popcorn and soda, if we have the money and we are hungry (sometimes we eat before going to the movie) we will buy it, I love me some movie theater popcorn with butter/oil crap they have. lol But we will get a small soda and that's enough for us to share because the small is like 64 oz or something. lol

 

[4HppyCamprs]

I have never heard of that. Not from my "sixy-something" Mom or her "eighty-something" Mom. lol We have always tipped on the full amount of the bill, and my Grandmother can be a stickler about things like that so if she thought we shouldn't tip on drinks she would let us know. lol

lol

I have never heard of not including drinks in my total for figuring tips either and my MIL is a Server. She does tell me all the time that I should not tip on tax though.

 

[Jenny3]

But does that logic hold? My guess is probably not.

My full post was this:

Really, the difference is that Person A wants water and orders it.
Person B wants lemonade, but is too cheap to buy it so they bring it themselves.

It may seem like a 'little' thing to most people, but it does cost the restaurant money as the logic is Person B would pay for a lemonade if they didn't sneak one in their purse. Actually, looking at the OP, it is not just one person - it's an entire family doing this. And telling others to do the same. Perhaps they WOULD have ordered water, but I doubt it if they are going to the trouble of sneaking packets in.

What will eventually happen is that the restaurant will start charging for water, changing the rules for everyone because of a few. Bad apple ruins the cart once again.

So IMO yes, that logic holds.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I have never heard of not including drinks in my total for figuring tips either and my MIL is a Server. She does tell me all the time that I should not tip on tax though.

I read the responses wondering if it was a regional thing. Some of you are close, some far away. But it truly is something that is done where I am and very often.

We also have signs in pizza/chinese places (over 90%) that two-liters are take out only.

Every single Applebee's, TGI Fridays, Chilis, etc will make you an unsweet decaf tea if you ask. It only takes a few moments to make the decaf tea and then put it over ice. Many have a Seltzer water which is also sugar/caffeine free. There are few other options but I would have to go to be 100% sure of it

I think you are going to see a change in regards to water being placed immediately on the table versus asking for it. When I lived in the south, you had to ask and sometimes two or three times. Don't know why and this was years ago, but if people continue to bring in their own, I can see it going back to having to ask.

So while we are on the subject of budget in the restaurant, why not explore the following other scenarios:

Taking the sugar packets home.

Asking for extra dipping sauce at BK or Mc'Ds where they are not extra so you can use them at home.

Taking way too many condiments from the Chinese restaurant.

And my MIL's favorite - the rolls in the purse trick.

Taking 10 -15 straws from Tim Hortons or Dunkin Donuts with your one small coffee so you don't have to purchase them for the kids at home.

Each and every single one of these effect the bottom line and raise prices for us the consumers. So is it budget or not?

 

[Granny square]

Applebee's will not. My bil manages one, and it isn't an option. I don't eat at chilis or TGIF though so can't say.

The restaurant I worked for gave every table a basket of rolls. We couldn't reuse them so I had no problem with people taking them. I'd rather have seen them eaten than trashed.

Lol and selzer water sucks!!! Ewww!

I do agree about sweetners etc. never knew anyone who took straws.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Applebee's will not. My bil manages one, and it isn't an option. I don't eat at chilis or TGIF though so can't say.

The restaurant I worked for gave every table a basket of rolls. We couldn't reuse them so I had no problem with people taking them. I'd rather have seen them eaten than trashed.

Lol and selzer water sucks!!! Ewww!

I do agree about sweetners etc. never knew anyone who took straws.

My MIL (bless her heart, she is deceased now) would take all the rolls before anyone could have one, then ask for another serving. We ate those and she again would ask for more for her purse stash.

People take everything!! DH and I find it very interesting to watch others around us. Just normal people watching. It is amazing what you can see.

 

[powellrj]

So while we are on the subject of budget in the restaurant, why not explore the following other scenarios:

Taking the sugar packets home.

Asking for extra dipping sauce at BK or Mc'Ds where they are not extra so you can use them at home.

Taking way too many condiments from the Chinese restaurant.

And my MIL's favorite - the rolls in the purse trick.

Taking 10 -15 straws from Tim Hortons or Dunkin Donuts with your one small coffee so you don't have to purchase them for the kids at home.

Each and every single one of these effect the bottom line and raise prices for us the consumers. So is it budget or not?

I can honestly say I have never done any of those things. Around here, McD's charges for extra dipping sauce so if you get it you pay for it. I never order anything to dip at BK, because when I go I only get a whopper and thats about once a year!

I do have a collection of straws but thats because I would get a large unsweet tea in the morning from either McDs or Steak and Shake (I am picky about my tea) and when I would get another one during the day I would just keep using the same straw and throw the unused one in the glove box for the time they forget to give me one!

 

[Granny square]

My MIL (bless her heart, she is deceased now) would take all the rolls before anyone could have one, then ask for another serving. We ate those and she again would ask for more for her purse stash.

People take everything!! DH and I find it very interesting to watch others around us. Just normal people watching. It is amazing what you can see.

Oh my, there were those. I have a soft spot for old people so those didn't bother me too much. Especially if they were old enough to be depression folks.

The ones who kind of creep me out are the ones who steal all the stale donuts from conference breakfasts or continentals. Ew.

 

[goodeats]

Typically I don't bring food into restaurants or ask for "extra lemons". My exceptions are food for my baby/toddler and coffee if the place has horrid coffee. We go to this pancake house and their coffee is terrible. So terrible that I just bring my own from home. I order a side of bacon to make up for it, but I'm sure people think I'm tacky. I guess if the restaurant had a problem with it I would stop going there since I prefer to have coffee with my breakfast. I would think they would rather have me as a customer.

ETA - Are you supposed to tip on the pre-tax total or after tax total? When I was young people would tell you to double the tax for the tip. Our tax rate was around 8.5%. Now I do 15 - 20% of the after tax total.

 

[pixiewings71]

I have never heard of not including drinks in my total for figuring tips either and my MIL is a Server. She does tell me all the time that I should not tip on tax though.

We don't tip on tax.

Applebee's will not. My bil manages one, and it isn't an option. I don't eat at chilis or TGIF though so can't say.

The restaurant I worked for gave every table a basket of rolls. We couldn't reuse them so I had no problem with people taking them. I'd rather have seen them eaten than trashed.

Lol and selzer water sucks!!! Ewww!

I do agree about sweetners etc. never knew anyone who took straws.

So if you tell them you have allergies or dietary needs and can't have sugar or caffeine what do they tell you? Just curious

Taking the sugar packets home. don't do it, I have sugar of my own at home

Asking for extra dipping sauce at BK or Mc'Ds where they are not extra so you can use them at home. this either, the only time we have extras is when we get too much at the drive through

Taking way too many condiments from the Chinese restaurant. don't do this either, in fact we tell them no sauces because we don't eat them, unless I'm getting pot stickers at Panda and then I want 2 packs of pot sticker sauce. lol

And my MIL's favorite - the rolls in the purse trick. never known anyone who has done this

Taking 10 -15 straws from Tim Hortons or Dunkin Donuts with your one small coffee so you don't have to purchase them for the kids at home. if we want straws at home I buy them at the store

some of those make me :scared lol

Typically I don't bring food into restaurants or ask for "extra lemons". My exceptions are food for my baby/toddler and coffee if the place has horrid coffee. We go to this pancake house and their coffee is terrible. So terrible that I just bring my own from home. I order a side of bacon to make up for it, but I'm sure people think I'm tacky. I guess if the restaurant had a problem with it I would stop going there since I prefer to have coffee with my breakfast. I would think they would rather have me as a customer.

ETA - Are you supposed to tip on the pre-tax total or after tax total? When I was young people would tell you to double the tax for the tip. Our tax rate was around 8.5%. Now I do 15 - 20% of the after tax total.

We always do the tip that way, double the tax and round up. If the service is better then that amount then we just add more on top of that. It's actually quite easy to figure out that way.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

We don't tip on tax.



So if you tell them you have allergies or dietary needs and can't have sugar or caffeine what do they tell you? Just curious



some of those make me :scared lol



We always do the tip that way, double the tax and round up. If the service is better then that amount then we just add more on top of that. It's actually quite easy to figure out that way.

Just picked a reply - for the record, we do not do those things, it is stuff we have seen being done.

And yes I forgot about the good old buffet takers... (breakfast and dinner). Two kids and 20 boxes of cereal!

 

[Granny square]

They don't really tell me anything except a pleasant apology. Which is fine. You can't make everyone happy all of the time. That was why j never thought twice about tossing in a tea bag. I will also drink water, lol, but I drink a lot and don't eat that much so some flavor is nice. I will order bottled water if it is a nice one.

And I will officially say that wdw has the nastiest water ever and I don't blame anyone for flavoring it!!!

(We have mugs and dp, so please don't holler at me!) the resorts have lovely twining teas and there is minutemaid sf lemonade.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This is way out of hand. Water is water and it's CHEAP. Can't believe people are on here for this many pages arguing about a glass of water!!!

The morality on the DIS never fails to amaze me.

Water's cheap, not free. Again, there's a difference between drinking the glass of tap water provided as a service and at a small loss, and effectively turning that no-charge water into a soft drink when the restaurant sells soft drinks.

Seriously, like NONE OF YOU have EVER taken a bottle of water or candy into a movie theater? EVER taken your own bottle of water into a Disney park or any other place for that matter?

EVER??

good point...do those that think this water flavor issue is so bad, never take a beverage into Disney?

Disney charges for drinks, so if you do that....aren't you depriving Disney of "revenue"???

I've never taken outside refreshments into a movie theater. Virtually all the money from tickets goes to the studios. Food and drink is where the theater owners get the bulk of their income. On the extremely rare occasion I don't want to pay theater prices, I can manage to go two hours or so without eating or drinking.

Disney theme parks, where the primary source of revenue is admission media sales? Once in a while. It's allowed, as indicated in writing in various official sources. Disney restaurants? Never.

 

[disneymagicgirlsdd]

You go to a restaurant for the food, not necessarily the drink. Who cares if you get water and add mio? And if you didn't like coke and you went somewhere that served coke and nothing else, wouldn't you bring a Pepsi?

 

[disneymagicgirlsdd]

but see how grossly unfair to the business that is (remember I'm talking from an owners side). Let's take it a step further. You come to my establishment and since you only drink pepsi at home, you whip out a 2 liter bottle of pepsi because I only serve coke?
And I'm supposed to be happy with that?

How accomodating am I supposed to be and still make a living? So you only drink Mio, what happens with the next customer who only drinks Hansen natural ice tea,because it has no preservatives comes in and feels no problem bringing in a bottle because they don't like the restaurants ice tea?

If you only drink a certain drink, a certain way why go to the establishment in the first place?

See you are thinking very singular, "I'm only one person doing this, what's the problem". The problem becomes for the proprietor you are not the only one, multiply that 15, 20 times and they are losing money. Very few independant eateries have big profit margins.

You go to a restaurant for the food, not necessarily the drink. Who cares if you get water and add mio? And if you didn't like coke and you went somewhere that served coke and nothing else, wouldn't you bring a Pepsi? And you expect us to believe that you've never taken a drink into a movie theater? Yeah, right.