101–110 of 200 posts
European capitalism destroying old American traditions and cultures just sounds wrong to your ears when you are so used to the narrative of McDonald’s and Hollywood taking over the world. In Germany I think I saw a dedicated drinking fountain only once. There are of course fountains, but most of the time there is a sign on them saying "Kein Trinkwasser" ("no drinking water"). We have exceptionally good tap water and…
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I've seen a friend French-kiss his dog (he relished grossing other people out) and he didn't seem worse for it. Of course I wouldn't do it myself, but it can't be as bad as you think it might be.
Humans french kiss each other, and we don't have clean mouths most of the time, either.
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Name any commercial or international airport without water fountains.
All of the ones in China? I dont remember any there but maybe I was just used to not seeing any anywhere else in the country so I wasnt looking for them. I also dont recall drinking fountains in Phnom Penh or Saigon's airports.
I do like the fact that you can get free water almost everywhere, there was often a large can and cups on the bar, free to take. Here a tap water is sometimes as expensive as a beer (in a bar obviously).
Let's start with the assumption (not necessarily true) that one who drinks from a public water fountain consumes significantly more germs than one who drinks bottled water. Is this even a bad thing? I would think that this regular exposure could help strengthen the immune system. I'm personally uncertain if anything like this is backed by research.
Back in the 80s, the concern was not germs, but heavy metals. That's 100% understandable. If somebody told me there was lead in my tap water (and I believed them) I'd switch to bottled water in a heartbeat. But according to the article, the municipalities responded and got the metals out of the water, so I guess the problem is misinformation?
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There are water fountains in every airport in Europe (and pretty much the world, it's regulatory) they are usually located in or near the restrooms. Not to mention that pretty much every restaurant will give you tap water for free.
At least in the UK, if you are in any place that serves alcohol, they are legally obliged to provide you free water (most restaurants serve alcohol.)
[1] https://www.gov.uk/alcohol-licensing#mandatory-licensing-con...
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There are water fountains in every airport in Europe (and pretty much the world, it's regulatory) they are usually located in or near the restrooms. Not to mention that pretty much every restaurant will give you tap water for free.
I was flatly told "no" when I asked for tap water at a restaurant in Italy. The waitress seemed a little disgusted I would ask, too. I've heard some peoples have an aversion to tap water even if it's become safe these days, so I guess it was that, or maybe some kind of miscommunication. Maybe she just thought it has a bad taste, but it can't have been bad enough that I'd prefer paying 2-3 euros for bottled water.