A tourist to Singapore from Australia was seen asking online on why do Singaporean restaurants charge a fee when patrons ask for a glass of water.

He or she also lamented that restaurants in Australia do not charge for them unlike in Singapore and if they do not serve tap water, they will offer bottled water at a small fee.

Here is what he said

“Came from Australia, tap water is free and we don’t have service charge (we tip tho).

In Singapore’s restaurants, I realized restaurants charges for water – many only serve bottle water too. I read from PUB that the tap water is safe to drink, so why do restaurants in Singapore love charging customers for free water?

I would be surprised if 1-2 cups of water is not negligible to the operation cost and if it is negligible it should be included as a part of the service.”

Replies by netizens

The real reason is because they can and enough people are willing to pay.

It’s not the cost of the water. It’s the cost of cleaning the glasses, the cost of the time the staff has to bring you the glass of water, and perhaps refill it. F&B are very short staffed. I don’t mind paying a nominal fee for water. Like 1$ per pax.

It is to sway you towards getting an overpriced beverage instead of overpriced water. The profit margin on drinks is very high.

It’s the opportunity cost of them not being able to sell you other drinks

You’re thinking it’s wrong because you’re thinking from a customer point of view… Try thinking from the restaurant owner point of view and you will get your answer easily.

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