WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE…

Views were mixed on the question of asking for water among customers at Sygn bar in the West End of Edinburgh yesterday, writes Jonathan Rimmer. Paula Greenan, 31, who works in hospitality, said: “It’s one of the main fundamentals of the service I work in to provide it so therefore I would expect anywhere to do the same even if that’s all I wanted.” Jane Gourlay, 51, a housewife, said: “I don’t mind asking for a tap water in general, but I’d maybe feel slightly more awkward in a posh place. It wouldn’t stop me asking for it.” Alistair Wyper, 47, a solicitor, said: “I don’t think it ever comes up that you would ask for water unless you were buying something.” Diane Shearer, 52, a legal aid worker, said: “What I find awkward some times is when they say, Would you like bottled or tap; I find that sometimes embarrassing when I ask ‘Can I have tap water, please’.” Mariam Bye, 50, a housewife, said: “I’m from France. I have no qualms at all asking for tap water. I don’t even think about whether it’s a right or not. The only difference is when I’m asking for sparkling water. I think in France people tend to push you more to order what they call mineral water or sparkling water. I don’t think they’re as nice as they would be in the UK to tell you the truth. So here I feel very comfortable. Fiona Cant, 56, who works for a car repair company, said: “I don’t feel uncomfortable about asking for water at all. Automatically I would ask for water along with whatever I’m eating or drinking. I like to have water on the side.”