Part 7/11:
Cultural and International Comparisons
Globally, practices differ significantly. In the UK, New Zealand, and parts of Australia, it is often mandated by law for establishments serving alcohol to provide free water. The rationale is pragmatic: water mitigates dehydration from alcohol, reducing hangovers and promoting responsible drinking.
In Singapore, however, many pubs and bars have shifted from serving free tap water to bottled water or have eliminated water service altogether, citing pandemic-related issues like potential misuse or abuse of free water offerings. One bartender explains that customers would often stay for prolonged periods, asking repeatedly for water, which wasn’t cost-effective.