It looks like you and my brother are the only people who feel this way. 
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.
My brother would get a solid punch in the shoulder for such nonsense.
Do I really need to point out: best username/thread combo ever?
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.
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.
People don’t beat the crap out of little brothers anymore?
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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
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:
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!
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.
More bbrrraaaaaiiiiinnnns, ppleeeeeaaaaaasssse.
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.
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.
“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).
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.
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.