deceptive ordering

I totally agree with you guys about most people wanting refills. I only wanted to make a point about the difficulty of counting the average drinks a person consumes in one sitting and that the number could be skewed. If you are going to offer free refills, then I would think people would expect to be refilled without asking. I was just saying that I think a lot of people just drink it because its there. I would be curious to see those numbers if a place was "self serve." Would these people actually walk up to get a refill rather than have it brought to them? Before you respond, I just want to say that these are just musings and not realistic suggestions. Just like I realize that making people ask for refills all the time is not realistic. I know they will be complaining about the lack of service if you do that.

On a side note, I remember a few years ago, I was in Boston with my husband at the Jillians sports bar there. My husband wanted to watch a football game and drank beers while he watched. Me, on the other hand, did not want to be tanked in the middle of day and ordered a diet coke. Throughout the course of the 3 hour game, I think I had three or four of them. I was kind of surprised when I got the bill and they were $2 each. I was kindly reminded that most "big" cities do not offer free refills.

Perhaps asking "would you like a refill?" is a good solution, instead of just filling the glasses. If it's put in my glass, I'll drink it, just because I hate waste. I can recall being out a few times, getting ready to pay the bill, and having my glass refilled. I feel obligated to drink it, whether I wanted it or not. I'd rather be asked if I need another refill, then just have the server mindlessly fill my glass all night. On the other hand, I'd be annoyed if I had to ask for a refill.

We have stopped using a fountain and now use cans of soda. Each one is charged for. We have only had one compliant about charging for each soda. She had 3 and in the interest of customer service I discounted when she complained. As a kid we were charged for each and every coke. I think it makes the most sense.
We give free refills on tea and coffee.

Perhaps asking "would you like a refill?" is a good solution, instead of just filling the glasses. If it's put in my glass, I'll drink it, just because I hate waste. I can recall being out a few times, getting ready to pay the bill, and having my glass refilled. I feel obligated to drink it, whether I wanted it or not. I'd rather be asked if I need another refill, then just have the server mindlessly fill my glass all night. On the other hand, I'd be annoyed if I had to ask for a refill.

I ask...they always say yes.

[Robin Garr]

When I went to Meridian Cafe for brunch last Saturday, I was sorely tempted to drink like five glasses of mango iced tea to see if Heather Y would notice, but I decided against it and only had two... Good stuff, and the Big Dave's Pastrami Hash was as good as ever! The place was packed too, and service was extremely smooth!

Doubly amazing is that Heather was over at the Beargrass Farmers' Market on Saturday morning, and they were packed there, too, and the Breakfast Wraps were bodacious!