This seems risky for the server, too. What if you never came back? What if, when you got back, you dumped part of the meal into your pocket and then claimed it wasn't there?

I usualy wear cargos when ordering soup.

I'm putting this here because it probably is nitpicky, but it irked me just the same.
I was at a tavern-that-shall-not-be-named with a group of people I barely know. Long story as to how we were together but bada bing, there we were.
I ordered a triple whiskey, neat, as I do. Nearly everyone at the table had ordered drinks, though they were all beer/wine/fruity cocktails. The waiter came back with the booze and set mine down, then said as loudly as anything else that night: "Oh, and I brought you a glass of water with that." No water for anyone else, just me, along with a pointed remark that he did me a solid. My companions gave a vibe like they were offended that I was offended, but wow. Is this an unprofessional thing to do or is it just me?

Pie Lady wrote:I'm putting this here because it probably is nitpicky, but it irked me just the same.
I was at a tavern-that-shall-not-be-named with a group of people I barely know. Long story as to how we were together but bada bing, there we were.
I ordered a triple whiskey, neat, as I do. Nearly everyone at the table had ordered drinks, though they were all beer/wine/fruity cocktails. The waiter came back with the booze and set mine down, then said as loudly as anything else that night: "Oh, and I brought you a glass of water with that." No water for anyone else, just me, along with a pointed remark that he did me a solid. My companions gave a vibe like they were offended that I was offended, but wow. Is this an unprofessional thing to do or is it just me?

Since whiskey, especially Scotch, is often served with water and you're the only one who ordered whiskey, it doesn't seem unprofessional at all. If the others in your group wanted water, I'm guessing they would have or could have asked for it, right?

=R=

I was a bartender for 10 years and whenever a customer ordered whiskey neat I always served a glass of water on the side, I would not do that for wine, beer or cocktail drinkers. Water is the traditional back up for neat whiskey so your server was correct.

Could have been the tone, though?

I think it would ruin the whole meal for me. With every bite I would wonder did anyone sneeze or cough near my food? Maybe I'm a big worrier but I know I would examine each bite before I ate it. And in the back of my head I would picture Typhoid Mary and her homeless friend "Grubby" standing by my table and being unable to resist touching my food.

leek wrote:Could have been the tone, though?

Indeed. The fact that I got water was lovely and much appreciated. You can't wash down a mouthful of potatoes with alcohol. I always ask for water if I don't automatically get it.
It was the presumptuous announcement, like either he wanted an extra thank you for his heroism or he wanted to point out that I was going to need to pace myself, whatever. Just set the drink down and move on, don't babysit me.

I posted a variation of this before:

I was @ a tavern that I'll refrain from exposing. I ordered a boilermaker: a beer with a shot of whiskey on the side. I asked for the whiskey 'neat'. I was charged $2 for whiskey neat. I asked the bartender why. She didn't know and went to ask the manager. The manager told her that because there is no ice involved the volume of the pour is greater. Since the bartender didn't know this, I doubt I got the extra ounce(s). There was no comp/adjustment. I refuse to patronize this place again.

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Pie Lady wrote:

leek wrote:Could have been the tone, though?

Indeed. The fact that I got water was lovely and much appreciated. You can't wash down a mouthful of potatoes with alcohol. I always ask for water if I don't automatically get it.
It was the presumptuous announcement, like either he wanted an extra thank you for his heroism or he wanted to point out that I was going to need to pace myself, whatever. Just set the drink down and move on, don't babysit me.

You moved the goalposts a little on on this by never mentioning in your initial post that you'd ordered food. Taverns, at least places with actual tavern licenses in Chicago, do not serve food. You also never mentioned the server's tone. It sounds like you knew the answer to your query before you even posted it.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:

leek wrote:Could have been the tone, though?

Indeed. The fact that I got water was lovely and much appreciated. You can't wash down a mouthful of potatoes with alcohol. I always ask for water if I don't automatically get it.
It was the presumptuous announcement, like either he wanted an extra thank you for his heroism or he wanted to point out that I was going to need to pace myself, whatever. Just set the drink down and move on, don't babysit me.

You moved the goalposts a little on on this by never mentioning in your initial post that you'd ordered food. Taverns, at least places with actual tavern licenses in Chicago, do not serve food. You also never mentioned the server's tone. It sounds like you knew the answer to your query before you even posted it.

=R=

The food was ordered after the drink. I knew I'd be ordering an entree, but he didn't; I planned on ordering the meal when he returned with the drinks. I apologize for using the wrong term; I thought a tavern was a bar with food.

I think I suggested the tone:

Pie Lady wrote:The waiter came back with the booze and set mine down, then said as loudly as anything else that night: "Oh, and I brought you a glass of water with that." No water for anyone else, just me, along with a pointed remark that he did me a solid.

But 'tone' could be defined differently, I suppose. It wasn't snotty, no, but "pointed" defines a certain tone to me anyway.

You should have thrown the water in his face and left in a huff. (Is that what you are hoping to hear)?

You should have done a WC Fields reaction to the water - eeewwwww facial expression, fingers flicking in the direction of the ghastly liquid as if to make it disappear.

Roger Ramjet wrote:You should have done a WC Fields reaction to the water - eeewwwww facial expression, fingers flicking in the direction of the ghastly liquid as if to make it disappear.

And insist on a free; refill after you down the shot.

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