So the other night, I had a casual dinner with my beautiful family at a pretty well known restaurant chain. It was one of those days where a glass of wine was the perfect way to end the evening. After a long, rough day it's the perfect way to sooth the soul. But no matter what my drink of choice is at any establishment, I always (always) ask for a glass of water. You see, I was raised in a home where, "water is good for you; especially your skin," which in reading all the health magazines, this isn't some crazy idea my mother came up with just to make me drink water (unlike some of the other crazy concoctions she came up with to make me take liquid medicine as a child). I usually remember to ask for a slice of lemon, but typically if I don't, the waiter is kind enough to ask me if I would like one. Very considerate of them, but what I can never understand is why they never give me a straw? I mean, in all my years dining out, I just can never get my arms around that one. Okay...maybe I have a slight germ phobia (which I really can't help for having a mother who is a nurse by trade), but I still feel they should at least offer me a straw if they don't automatically give one out. So I'm ordering water...I get it. Maybe they think I'm not going to spend money on a drink...but does that really warrant me not receiving a straw? Especially if the dinner entree averages anywhere between $25-$40 a plate (and even more so if I order a glass of wine, salad and dessert). Somehow, there must be this unknown code that says, "if you serve a glass of water, do not provide a straw." Does it really cost that much compared to the delicious free rolls or bread that is provided no matter how many courses I order?
If a waiter is thoughtful enough to remember to ask me if I would like lemon for my water....can they not offer me a straw too? How do you feel about this? I'd really like to know if I'm the only one who thinks every glass of water deserves a straw. 10/13/10
