Caro Gets Brave

The perception of most Americans with China is that everything is less expensive here. In actuality this is not always the case. And when this preconceived notion is not true, Caro has difficulty justifying the purchase of the things that are more expensive here compared to the US. (Being the bigger spender in our relationship, I rarely find myself with this problem.) Drinking water is one of these things. This especially becomes an issue at nicer restaurants that may only have Evian still water or San Pellegrino carbonated water to choose from, both at exorbitant prices.

Recently she tried to explain to the waitress at one of these nice Shanghainese restaurants that she did not prefer bottled water but instead wanted some “distilled” water or pre-boiled drinkable water. The waitress responded with a fast “OK sure” and quickly hustled off into the kitchen to return with two glasses of semi-cold water. After she had taken the first gulp of water and noted the pungent aroma in her mouth, Caro politely asked the waitress where the water was from. In a thick accent, the waitress replied, “no bottled water- from the pipe.” We both ordered San Pellegrino.