# The Ethics of Getting a Free Drink Refill **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 22, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322 "2009-05-22T19:07:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/41 "2009-05-23T20:45:03Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Using a _strict interpretation_ unless it’s told to you refills are free, you shouldn’t take one. It looks like you and my brother are the only people who feel this way. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/42 "2009-05-24T03:45:04Z")
Most of the fast food chains near me require you to fill your own drink. When I leave I always refill my drink before heading out. The drink station is always right near the counter, so I’m in full view of most of the employees. No one has ever said anything to me about it. Not so much as a “I’ll let it go this time, but…”. They obviously know I’m doing it, and if it wasn’t allowed, they’d say something. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/43 "2009-05-24T05:41:56Z")
My brother would get a solid punch in the shoulder for such nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/44 "2009-05-24T08:39:53Z")
Do I really need to point out: best username/thread combo ever? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/45 "2009-05-24T10:06:11Z")
Here in Australia, most places don’t let you do it. But _Hungry Jack’s_, aka _Burger King_, do let you, as evidenced by my visit yesterday and the drinks fountain having the words “Free Refills” clearly marked upon it. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/46 "2009-05-24T18:58:29Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > I must be stupid, but thing is, if I’m only going to have a small drink I won’t pay for the BIGGERTHANTHEPLATE size. > > In Spain the few places that have soda fountains usable by the customers usually give free refills (I ask, if I think I may want a refill). I haven’t seen that many, but of the ones I’ve been to there has never been one which wanted you to pay for the second cup. The point of my original comment was that people will keep paying for the BIGGERTHANTHEPLATE size even when they can get the smaller size an keep refilling it, **Nava**. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/47 "2009-05-24T21:26:27Z")
People don’t beat the crap out of little brothers anymore? ---
**Author:** ![Proudest\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/proudest_monkey/32/13257_2.png) [@Proudest\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Proudest_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/48 "2009-05-24T21:39:58Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > I have it on good authority that free refills is teh LAW!!1! And further, the menu is KING! 😃 Teehee! I can hardly go into a restaurant thread or an actual restaurant these days without at least a passing thought of that whack-job and her utterly entertaining trainwreck. I bet she’d have some Humble Opinions to share with the OP! ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/49 "2009-05-24T21:44:14Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > The point of my original comment was that people will keep paying for the BIGGERTHANTHEPLATE size even when they can get the smaller size an keep refilling it, **Nava**. I don’t think a lot of people realize they can usually ask for a small drink and large fries with a combo, too. The fries and drink are always packaged together as Small, Medium, or Large. Plus, even if they do know…well, they’re (read: I’m) lazy and would rather just order a large combo rather than taking the time to specify small drink and large fries, and also to avoid potentially tripping up the poor guy at the register. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/50 "2009-05-25T20:47:25Z")
> [@Proudest\_Monkey](#): > > Teehee! > I can hardly go into a restaurant thread or an actual restaurant these days without at least a passing thought of that whack-job and her utterly entertaining trainwreck. > > I bet she’d have some Humble Opinions to share with the OP! I spy with my little eye something that could be an entertaining thread. Linky, please? ETA: Oh, and in SoCal, soft drink refills are the rule, rather than the exception, even in sit-down restaurants, where the staff has to bring it to you. This includes iced tea and lemonade. ---
**Author:** ![Proudest\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/proudest_monkey/32/13257_2.png) [@Proudest\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Proudest_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/51 "2009-05-25T21:44:10Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I spy with my little eye something that could be an entertaining thread. > > Linky, please? Ok, **kaylasdad** , I’ve always enjoyed reading your posts, so I am stepping out of my comfort zone in linking to another page, but for your pleasure and amusement, I’ll give it a shot. [http://http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=509580&highlight=restaurant+drink+refills](http://http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=509580&highlight=restaurant+drink+refills) It started out as a tipping/working wage debate. The real fun starts on page 5 with the first post by our abovementioned whackjob. (post # 247) She went by the name **Springs1**. The thread ended up in the Pit, and several posters surely must have sustained head injuries from bashing their heads against the solid wall of her intractability and illogic regarding drink refills (and more!). She’s banned, but I’ll never forget her. on edit: Crap, looks like my link attempt failed. Will continue to try. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/52 "2009-05-26T01:11:27Z")
Well, that’s one of the nicest things anyone has said to me all week! I thank you for the plaudits, and don’t worry about the link; I found it based on your search criteria. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=509580&highlight=restaurant+drink+refills](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=509580&highlight=restaurant+drink+refills) Just for the record, the broken link was because you let an extra “http//” sneak in there. Let me just check this out… Oh. My. STARS. :eek: ETA: Holy Moly, her first post to the thread began “Are you just that dense, or what?” :eek: :eek: ---
**Author:** ![metacritic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@metacritic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/metacritic)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/53 "2010-07-14T19:08:12Z")
Thanks, Proudest Monkey and kaylasdad99. The link to the Bad Tippers forum was priceless. I’m still working my way through the messages, and they keep getting better. It’s a shame no one ever brought up the basic etymology of the word “refill” to Springs1. A simple statement that showcases that it is a re-filling (i.e., meaning the cup is being filled again with the same filling as before) should have caused even more ruckus. I wonder if anyone here has considered the ethics of throwing away one’s original cup and getting a new one as a free refill. This is what Wendy’s is doing now, which is what led me to this thread. Thanks everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/54 "2010-07-14T19:23:02Z")
I expect unlimited free refills of water, tea, coffee and soda (any water-based nonalcoholic beverage, I guess) in real restaurants _with_ table service. I do tip more for the extra service if my party ends up sitting around and having several extra cups of coffee or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/55 "2010-07-14T19:56:47Z")
More bbrrraaaaaiiiiinnnns, ppleeeeeaaaaaasssse. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/56 "2010-07-14T19:57:21Z")
Why is this an “ethical” issue? If the restaurant in question offers free refils (which most do), they have certainly taken this into account in their business model. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/57 "2010-07-14T20:18:02Z")
I saw a sign in an Arby’s that said something to the effect of “Enjoy free refills, same visit only.” So you can’t fill up a cup you bring into the restaurant. Fair enough. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/58 "2010-07-14T20:34:38Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Using a _strict interpretation_ unless it’s told to you refills are free, you shouldn’t take one. “Strict interpretation” _of what_? If there’s no sign that says “no free refills” and the machine is accessible to the customers, you’re expected to refill as much as you want (during your visit). ---
**Author:** ![Achren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@Achren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achren)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/59 "2010-07-14T21:21:39Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Oh. > > My. > > STARS. :eek: Wow. Out of morbid curiosity I thought I’d google the username and Google was able to auto-complete it! I am amazed at her, um, dedication. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322/60 "2010-07-14T22:19:36Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > “Strict interpretation” _of what_? If there’s no sign that says “no free refills” and the machine is accessible to the customers, you’re expected to refill as much as you want (during your visit). The SAFEST ethical interpretation is that they DO NOT want you to have free refills (though apparently that is the norm these days) unless they specify otherwise. You don’t take something you could have (no ethical harm). You take something you shouldnt have (big ethical harm). They could just have the machines out there for several reasons. You get to decide how full you want it (easy to carry or filled to the brim). You get to choose how much ice you want. Also, they are getting you to choose the drink and do it yourself which makes their work behind the counter that much easier. And, as far as that goes, I can certainly remember the days where the soda machines were “out front” and free refills WERE NOT the norm. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-getting-a-free-drink-refill/497322.md?page=4)