I thought it was was illegal to refuse someone tap water for free.
I think this is only true for alcohol-serving establishments. So if you're out running and you really need a drink, stop at a bar instead. They'll probably serve it to you in a reusable glass and they can't charge you for it (though, depending on the bar, they may sneer at you). Last time I did this, at an otherwise shady looking bar I'd never otherwise patronized in Chicago on a very hot day, the bartender was very nice about it and even gave me ice, too.
People can try to justify this through economic arguments and "if we did it for you we'd have to do it for everyone" arguments to their heart's content, and they would be technically correct. But in practice I think this just makes DD a bad neighbor in much the same way that it does for businesses to refuse to let anyone use their restrooms. Sure, it may not directly benefit their business to provide free cups with water in them, but it's fundamentally mean-spirited of them not to do it.
no subject
I think this is only true for alcohol-serving establishments. So if you're out running and you really need a drink, stop at a bar instead. They'll probably serve it to you in a reusable glass and they can't charge you for it (though, depending on the bar, they may sneer at you). Last time I did this, at an otherwise shady looking bar I'd never otherwise patronized in Chicago on a very hot day, the bartender was very nice about it and even gave me ice, too.
People can try to justify this through economic arguments and "if we did it for you we'd have to do it for everyone" arguments to their heart's content, and they would be technically correct. But in practice I think this just makes DD a bad neighbor in much the same way that it does for businesses to refuse to let anyone use their restrooms. Sure, it may not directly benefit their business to provide free cups with water in them, but it's fundamentally mean-spirited of them not to do it.