How can I ask a dim sum restaurant not to charge for tea, if I drink my own water? [closed]
![How can I ask a dim sum restaurant not to charge for tea, if I drink my own water? [closed] - Cooked Food on Stainless Steel Tray](/assets/images/how_can_i_ask_a_dim_sum_restaurant_not_to_charge_for_tea_if_i_drink_my_own_water_closed_0.jpeg "How can I ask a dim sum restaurant not to charge for tea, if I drink my own water? [closed] - Cooked Food on Stainless Steel Tray")
A Toronto Cantonese dim sum restaurant charged my grandma and grandpa tea ($2 CAD/person), even though they brought and drank their own reverse osmosis water. When they saw this on the bill, they complained to the manager who alleged this charge's required, even if you don't drink their tea or hot water.
What ought my grandparents have done at the beginning of the meal? What can they try, before storming out of the restaurant as the "nuclear option", if this happens again?
Best Answer
In the case of alcoholic drinks that you bring to drink with your meal, instead of buying, a restaurant may charge a corkage fee.
A restaurant is a business, so that is reasonable, and the same principle should apply to anything you consume that you did not buy there.
For example, suppose you ask for a glass of tap water (which a restaurant should not charge for) but you sit down and eat your own sandwiches?
Howvever, all charges should be stated on the price list.
Pictures about "How can I ask a dim sum restaurant not to charge for tea, if I drink my own water? [closed]"
![How can I ask a dim sum restaurant not to charge for tea, if I drink my own water? [closed] - Glass of Wine](/assets/images/how_can_i_ask_a_dim_sum_restaurant_not_to_charge_for_tea_if_i_drink_my_own_water_closed_1.jpeg "How can I ask a dim sum restaurant not to charge for tea, if I drink my own water? [closed] - Glass of Wine")
![How can I ask a dim sum restaurant not to charge for tea, if I drink my own water? [closed] - White Ceramic Coffee Mug and Drinking Glass on Tray](/assets/images/how_can_i_ask_a_dim_sum_restaurant_not_to_charge_for_tea_if_i_drink_my_own_water_closed_2.jpeg "How can I ask a dim sum restaurant not to charge for tea, if I drink my own water? [closed] - White Ceramic Coffee Mug and Drinking Glass on Tray")
![How can I ask a dim sum restaurant not to charge for tea, if I drink my own water? [closed] - Open grey metal soda can](/assets/images/how_can_i_ask_a_dim_sum_restaurant_not_to_charge_for_tea_if_i_drink_my_own_water_closed_3.jpeg "How can I ask a dim sum restaurant not to charge for tea, if I drink my own water? [closed] - Open grey metal soda can")
How do they charge for dim sum?
Typically, when I eat at dim sum it ranges from about $12-$20 per person depending on where you are eating (restaurant and also region) and how many dishes you order.Who pours tea at dim sum?
Tap the table with two fingers (pointer and middle) to say 'thank you' after someone at your table\u2013not the waiter or waitress\u2013has poured tea for you. It is a sign of deference and respect.What is the tea they serve at dim sum?
Eating dim sum and drinking tea is an ideal combination. The two go hand in hand. Yum cha in Cantonese Chinese literally means "drink tea" \u98f2\u8336. They specifically mean: "drink Chinese tea" of which there are hundreds of special varieties but about 7 general types.Explained DIM SUM history | Why did I GET CHARGED FOR TEA that I DIDN'T ASK FOR |港式點心解釋
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Hana Brannigan, Engin Akyurt, Engin Akyurt, Karolina Grabowska