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I think in some EU countries it's actually required for free tap water to be provided, but

- only for restaurants, idk. if McDonalds is classified as such

- only on request, they can require you to queue up again.

It's also typically only required that you give that tap water to customers paying for some other item (at least that's how it work here in the UK).

I was pleasantly surprised that in the UK the waiters proactively ask you if you want tap water with your meal. In Germany you have to explicitly ask for it and then often have to endure the waiter's annoyed reaction.

On the other hand I was unpleasantly surprised with the taste of tap water in the UK.

Oh, yes good point, I forgot to mention that.

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