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Bangalore
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Hyderabad
Drinking water? What’s that?
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The more new and trendy the place is, the more difficult your search for drinking water would be
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Photo: M. Periasamy
Drinking water turns into a mirage in fancy places
In summer time, drinking water is made available by God fearing people and local authorities on sidewalks. But walk into a fancy restaurant or coffee shops and regular water becomes an issue.Let’s take an example. With a friend of yours, you li
ke going to coffee shops, and spend some time in these havens, far from the noisy streets, the rain and the traffic jams. You like coffee - these strong and bitter Italian espressos -, but your friend certainly like the quietness of the place more than the menu there.
Indeed, in coffee shops, he always orders a hot chocolate. “A hot chocolate, please,” he says, inevitably.
Then, what is the problem? There wouldn’t be any problem, if he wasn’t going on like that: “And a glass of water, too.” Chocolate in coffee shops doesn’t seem to bother anyone: they have chocolate powder and milk in their kitchen; they mix them, heat them, add a bit of sugar, and bring the sweet and milky drink to your table. But water?
The waiter frowns. He hesitates for a while, and then asks: “Mineral water, sir?” My friend specifies: “Regular water, please.”
The waiter nods, goes away, and comes back soon with your espresso and your friend’s hot chocolate - without the most precious glass of water. “Sorry sir, he says, we don’t have any regular water.”
Well, they do not have regular water. You may ask the waiter to check everywhere in the coffee shop, the answer will not vary: drinking water here is not available. A simple dt how do they make coffee then?
Ok, they might boil the water. What about these iced-drinks? Do they really boil water for 15 minutes before cooling it?
Inevitably, my friend leaves the place swearing that he will bring two 20-litrebottles of mineral water here the next day – it would be so cruel to let all these people die of thirst in a coffee shop!
The water-supply situation is grave not only in coffee-shops, but also in many more leisure places in Hyderabad. In malls, it is still possible to find free drinking water – but you’ll have to look for it. Before discovering this dark and hidden place where you can quench your thirst, you’ll have to pass by numerous shops and counters where you could actually get water – by spending some money. And sometimes, your quest is not even over once you’ve found the right place.
Glasses here are not available? Bad luck. It seems you should have brought yours.
You may even see a notice, above the taps, informing you that: “Glasses are available here for a very reasonable price. Please check out our collection on fourth floor.” Customers are kings, are they?
AUDE REYGADES
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
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