When you eat out, do they put a lemon slice on the side of your water, or tea?
By anawar
@anawar (2404)
United States
July 30, 2008 3:48pm CST
A few years ago, restaurants automatically give you water when you sat down. They don't do it anymore because not everyone drinks it. I think the restaurants got smart and stopped serving it because we're running out of water.
If I ask for water, the waitress automatically sticks a lemon wedge on the side of the glass. They do the same for ice tea.
It's comical, because if I ask them to hold the lemon, they forget, because attaching the lemon slice is the norm. It's a challenge to remember, no lemon!
I feel so sad for the lemon slice, setting it aside on a dish, waiting to be thrown away.
Do you enjoy lemons in your beverages? What about eating out? Are you served lemons automatically? Where did this "lemon in a beverage thing" start? How did it become mainstream?
Because, even if I liked lemon in my water, I don't think I would keep lemons in my refigerator.
What's in your water? Lemons?
3 people like this
15 responses
@littleowl (7157)
•
31 Jul 08
Hi anawar at one time over here a slice of lemon used to be put on a glass of water too but like you it doesnt happen anymore-I love lemons and would always eat the slice of lemon..now though all you get is just water
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
30 Jul 08
I don't care for the lemon but I don't make a fuss if they forget.
BTW, water is a constantly renewable resource. But because of changing atmospheric conditions with the natural cycle of warming/cooling, the precipitation that provides the groundwater and aquifers we tap into is falling in places that don't necessarily feed the sources we need. It's all still there, but sometimes in places we don't normally reach! China is having a huge problem with this, I hear.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
31 Jul 08
I can believe it! I'm doing all I can to make the best use of the water resources and not contributing to polluting the water.
Hey, I love my tap water. I only have a Brita for my mom. In AZ, the water was sooooo nasty! Here in Ohio, it's delicious! Brings a whole new appreciation of a precious resource and one more thing to be grateful for. 
@anawar (2404)
• United States
30 Jul 08
The problems with water are complex. The water we have now is the same water we had when this planet was formed. I read somewhere that "you could be drinking a dinosaurs tears."
How poetic. And it's not even one of my mystical sayings.
I don't know how much longer the water will be renewable. Some say we'll be fighting over water, not oil.
1 person likes this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
3 Aug 08
I like lemon with my iced tea. It is always interesting to see what to do with the lemon. when a bunch of us order the iced tea, some will put the whole slice in the glass, some will squeeze it and leave it out of the glass after that. Some squeeze it and then drop it back in the glass. I know someone always order water with lemon when we're out for lunch too.
I bought lemons a few months ago and put the slices in the refrigerator since everyone drinks so much home brewed ice tea around here. they went bad - everyone forgot about them.
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
30 Jul 08
I don't like lemons either, I don't like them in my tea or my water, I just can't stand that bitter taste it leaves. When we eat out, if you order tea they will put a lemon wedge on the glass, and if you order water, they won't give you a lemon slice unless you ask for it. If I do get one it doesn't go to waste I just give it to my husband he likes lemon tea.
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Okay, I'll do that...lol. In fact he gets all the lemons, if my mother is eating with us, she does that too, she'll give him hers, because she don't like them either...haha.
@greenglitterturtle (2750)
• United States
30 Jul 08
they do when it is asked for . otherwise the water tastes baaaad without it. it needs something.
@greenglitterturtle (2750)
• United States
31 Jul 08
i hear you. but trying to save money when eating out. at home we have a distiller. good clean water.
@GardenGerty (160883)
• United States
31 Jul 08
We grew up with lemons for our tea, if we could afford them. Around here, just as they do not automatically give you water, they do not automatically give you lemon, either,as it costs money. I ask for it. I like it. Some people believe it helps your digestion. Others just do not like the taste of plain water.
they should not give it to your automatically because some people have allergies.
@venkygec (783)
• India
31 Jul 08
Yesterday i had gone to my friends party in a restaurant... We had given our order..
And then the waiter went and brought water... He dint bring any lemon..
.
But then when he brought the dishes he brought lemons also... maybe he had forgotten it..
And then after we finshed waiter brought a bowl of hot water with lemon in it...
That was to wash our hands and not to drink he he
....
.
But then when he brought the dishes he brought lemons also... maybe he had forgotten it..
And then after we finshed waiter brought a bowl of hot water with lemon in it...
That was to wash our hands and not to drink he he....@anawar (2404)
• United States
1 Aug 08
venkygec - hi. Very funny. No lemons with your drinks, and the waiter covered his mistake by bringing lemons with your meal?
I didn't know any restaurants still practiced the lemon water for cleaning hands. That's awesome. Can you imagine if someone did think it was for drinking and lifted the whole bowl up to drink from it? Or asked the waiter to bring more bowls for the rest of the dinner party?
No, I'm silly tonight, sorry.
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
31 Jul 08
Yeah, this practice is long gone for most resturant.. And for those who do still serve water, it's no longer being served with a slice of lemon, instead it's lime water.. Meaning the squeezed out the lime juice and mixed inside a jar of water b4 serving it to the table ^_^
Though with the water being served, i will still end up ordering drinks again.. lol =D NOrmally the glass of lime water, i will only drink it b4 and after i finish my meal.. hehe
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
1 Aug 08
Yes it comes with the cup, like it's mandatory. I think that it is such a habit that they forget when you say No Lemon. However, that's why you put an L by it if they want lemon and just nothing if they don't. I can understand them forgetting, all those orders they have to remember and what goes where. I do like lemon's sometimes, sometimes i'll discard, it all depends.
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
3 Aug 08
They did tonite. Not sure where the lemon slice on the side started, maybe you'll get a former or current wait staff person to give you the history of that oh so common thing. I like lemon in my water and tea, it gives it a zesty taste. I do keep lemon juice in my fridge and if I have company I buy a couple of lemons and slice them up. They go good on fish as well.
@StarChild517 (657)
• United States
3 Aug 08
Nope they rarely do that here in sioux city where im from I usually have to go and get a lemon and put it on the side.
@adi_scars (33)
• India
31 Jul 08
i dont put nethin cause it doesnt matter whether u put a lemon slice or wat. by the way dats a stupid disscussion u r havin here.
@JanetBRudman (158)
• United States
31 Jul 08
I must have lemons or lemon juice in iced tea and fish. In Phila., you have to ask waiters for water and/or lemons. I don't buy lemons, just lemon juice. I don't put lemons in water, though - just ice cubes.
