Tap water?
I am currently living in Germany as a foreign exchange student. I went out to eat with another exchange student in our first week here and he was seeking to order tap water but neither of us knew the correct word (Leitungswasser). He then proceeded to tell the waiter that he wanted Wasser aus der Pfeife or pipe water. What he didn't know is what he said meant water out of a smoking pipe (bong) not from a sink. Hilarious because he got the craziest of looks from our waiter who avoided coming back to our table for the rest of the evening until it was time to pay.
Sent by: Aaron
Comments
In Germany, it is not really customary to ask for tap water when eating out. If you do decide to ask for it, it is best to ask for ein Krug Wasser. Nota Bene: in Austria it is the 'done' thing in many restaurants to have a jug of tap water at the table.
It is much better to say Stilles Wasser, still water, or Wasser ohne Kohlensäure, water without CO2.
When I was in Germany I overheard something similar. An American was trying to ask for tap water - knowing that beer on tap was Bier vom Fass he asked for Wasser vom Fass, literally "water from the barrel/keg". The bartender was rather confused by that one...
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