Why Do S’pore Restaurants Charge for Water & Wet Tissues? Online Discussion Divides Netizens

One commenter summed it up neatly: “It’s a mix of culture and business model. Japan treats water and tissue as basic hospitality, while Singapore eateries rely more on add-on charges to survive high rents.”

Another was far less diplomatic: “It’s because of greedy landlords.”

“There is an obsession with cost cutting and profit maximising in Singapore. Owners want to maximise profits so that they can afford their cars and condo mortgages. They will continue to do so if the consumers are okay with it,” another wrote.

Some argued that charging for water and tissues is simply the reality of running an F&B business here. While overseas eateries may operate at lower costs, family-owned restaurants in Singapore are often priced out — leaving only hawker stalls, while larger chains dominate the scene.

One netizen urged diners to push back: “Stop going to restaurants that has service charge but do not even give you tap water.”

They argued that proper service — greeting guests, offering water, checking on condiments — should be the bare minimum, and that diners shouldn’t accept service charges when these basics aren’t met.

Others suggested alternatives, pointing to Japan-owned chain Saizeriya, where water and tissues are still free.

That said, not everyone sided with the OP.

One commenter offered a counterpoint:
“On the flip side, Singaporean customers are likely to abuse the system whenever there are free things. I see people taking serviettes at Starbucks and drinking free water without ordering anything.”

In the end, the debate highlights the tug-of-war between rising business costs, customer expectations, and cultural norms in Singapore’s F&B scene — with no clear winner in sight.

Balancing fair service with business survival? Clearly, it’s not as simple as offering a free cup of water.

Photos: Khoi Pham/ Pexels, Reddit/ r/SingaporeRaw