I'll have a water...with a lemon...

I cannot even think of a time when I was at home and put a slice of lemon in my water. I honestly doubt that 95% of the people who ask for a lemon with their water ever put a slice of lemon in their water at home. Is there something special about having a little sliver of citrus in your water just because you are eating out? Tap water is free at our restaurant. Our company's standard for guests who order water is a plain tumbler glass filled with ice and water. We aren't even supposed to provide guests who order only a water a straw, let alone a lemon slice. Lemon slices are meant for diet cola, hot tea, and sometimes espresso according to our standard. I've also noticed that "water with lemon" is popular among the female guests more so than the males. Is there some new diet fad that involves "water with lemon" or is it just the fact that they can swindle a free beverage with a slight flavor without paying $2.09 for a Pepsi or Coke?

The best has to be the folks who order waters and a plate of lemons. I have actually witnessed people who have ordered already half priced appetizers and waters with plates of lemons so that they could make their own lemonade at the table! Sure, our restaurant is extremely skimpy on the lemonade, which is 90% ice and about 10% concentrate and flavor, but come on! Half price appetizers and $0.00 beverages? We do deserve to make some money for the running around we have to do during the half priced time! Most of the time people who order half priced food leave half priced tips after making you cut a new tray of lemons so that they can avoid paying for a lemonade. Come on now...