I'm teetotal but AIBU. . . .?

Well, going out for a meal is a treat, so having a soft drink or a wine or beer is part of the treat. We always ask for a jug of water as well as our drinks and it is usually all drunk.

I don't, like your grandchildren, think you are mad for suggesting they just drink water when out for a meal, but I do think most people going out for a meal, would think the idea of limiting their treat to the food only and not including a nice drink as well, a bit odd.

I’m also teetotal and totally agree about the cost of drinks especially soft drinks. I always ask for a table jug of water but I don’t begrudge anyone who orders drinks at a meal out as MOnica says it’s a treat and we don’t eat out often.

Newquay, my brother owns a restaurant and has told me that drinks are where they make their mone. The cost horrifies me too, and I never order anything more expensive than beer when out for a meal. Perhaps it would be better in future not to pay for the drinks yourself?

I’m also teetotal and tend to just drink table water or perhaps a sparkling water. (Pushing the boat out there!) I’ve always been led to believe that soft drinks are where the profit lies and the % markup on these is far greater than on alcoholic drinks.

What does peeve me a little is when an entire bill, including drinks, is split between everyone. I recently found myself paying £25 for a starter portion of saag aloo, 4 spoonfuls of pilau rice, two chunks of peshwari naan and a glass of water. I’ve no objection to sharing the food bill as I can’t be doing with the faff of working out individual bills when it’s a big party, but I seem to be paying quite a bit towards the drinks bill as my food came in at around £12. I have suggested that the drinks bill is separate but this hasn’t happened for fairly obvious reasons I think!

Yes, drinks are expensive - but OK for the odd treat. I tend to have a soft drink though, nothing fancy. My DD told me some while ago about the cost of cocktails and I was horrified! I've never been attracted to cocktails or spirits particularly I have to say.

Drinks in restaurants are way overpriced especially wine that's often not very good and you get it for a quarter of the price in a supermarket so we don't tend to buy that. I might have just a white wine and soda and that's usually about £7.50. Wetherspoons is the cheapest place to drink but probably not the fanciest. DH likes a good real ale and he says W's serves it very well with a good choice at a sensible price.