neb:

 

Tinkerisk: Yes, that's something that makes me scratch my ear too, especially as tap water meets very high drinking water standards and can be drunk directly without hesitation or gas can be added with simple water bubblers. I don't know what's going on in some people's heads. 

 

I think it's pretty easy to explain, Germany (and many other central European countries) have an obsession with Siefenwasser, in English mineral water, to the extent that when you go to a restaurant you have to explicitly ask for non-mineral water because "water" implies mineral water.  So what's being consumed is Seifenwasser, not ordinary water.

 

Unless you're in Russia, where the "mineral water" is a way of getting rid of Soviet-era industrial waste:

 

 

Borjomi is Georgian not Russian. It's a pretty town but IMO the water is disgusting. It's a really strong mineral taste.

IMO Georgian feijoa lemonade is far superior than Borjomi water.

I know it's Georgian but it's popular throughout Russia and in former Soviet states.

It also dissolves glass, as the tilt to port of the glass it was in indicates.

neb:

 

I think it's pretty easy to explain, Germany (and many other central European countries) have an obsession with Siefenwasser, in English mineral water, to the extent that when you go to a restaurant you have to explicitly ask for non-mineral water because "water" implies mineral water.  So what's being consumed is Seifenwasser, not ordinary water.

 

Well it changes my question to "what's with the obsession with mineral water"? 

Also Seifenwasser = soapy water 😅 

cddt:

Also Seifenwasser = soapy water 😅 

neb:

 

I think it's pretty easy to explain, Germany (and many other central European countries) have an obsession with Siefenwasser, in English mineral water, to the extent that when you go to a restaurant you have to explicitly ask for non-mineral water because "water" implies mineral water.  So what's being consumed is Seifenwasser, not ordinary water.

 

I‘m afraid, it‘s not as easy … and it depends where you are in Germany. Sometimes it is luxury as well otherwise I can‘t explain, why one would „need“ bottled water from a 1000 year old north pole glacier in a well designed glass bottle which I saw (not for very long) in a shopping mall. 🤣 Maybe that is the real reason, not climate change? 😁

Siefenwasser doesn‘t exist … do you mean Tiefenwasser? (Water from a source deep in the earth?) Depending of the minerals there is a difference in taste. Others have (actual, proven) medicinal effects for certain diseases or intolerances (Heilwasser). In that case it is controlled by authorities and can’t simply be claimed by marketing. Especially the name of a city or town containing „Bad“ (i.e. Bad Reichenhall) is a hint to it and it is not limited to take a bath (=Bad) in the water. The medical effect (when it comes bottled) doesn‘t necessarily mean it tastes well. 😛

And there are local differences. In northern Germany nobody would ask for tap water in a restaurant except for the dog. The staff would probably be a bit irritated and the owner wouldn't earn anything from you if you took a seat that could be occupied by other guests who are paying well.

Seifenwasser is something complete different. It means water with soap in it to clean something.

Handle9: I’m not sure why I’m being quoted here