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Comment by gnicholas | Hacker News Reader

Fun fact: at Giants Stadium in SF, you can get a wristband for a free soda if you are a DD. Just swing by Guest Services and they'll give you a wristband.

Not-so-fun fact: you cannot redeem the wristband for water. You literally have to get soda.

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This is so US for me. Soda i easier and cheaper than plain good tasting water.

At a place with a soda fountain you can usually get water cups for free, BUT at a concession stand type setup, often the only water on offer is bottled, which is probably why they'll give you free soda but not (more expensive) bottled water. It ain't right, but.. it is.

I have never seen a soda dispenser that didn’t have a switch for water and/or carbonated water.

Some lack one or both. It's optional.

A fountain has no inherent need for non-carbonated water unless they serve uncarbonated drinks like orange or punch.

Are they not legally required to offer water for free? I thought that was pretty common.

There is certainly a free water fountain with tap water, but bottled water is not free.

Ok, so you can't redeem the wristband for water because water is already free?

That's way less ridiculous than the original guys phrasing made the situation seem.

No, the vendors will not give you water under any circumstance, wristband or not, paid or not. You literally have to get soda, pour it out, and find a drinking fountain if you want to refill with water. And of course, the drinking fountain has low water pressure, so you're tilting the cup and lucky to fill it up halfway.

Does it matter who it comes from? Free water is available. The anti-American snipe of "Soda [is] easier and cheaper than plain good tasting water." is wrong.

In the United Kingdom, anywhere they serve alcohol it's the law they give you free tap water. Which is nice.

I've never been to any bar or restaurant in the US that wouldn't do the same, although I'm not sure it's a law. However, the sporting event example strikes me as different because they may have soda and beer dispensers but not actually have a water tap at the concession stand.

I mean, at a stadium sure. Something that is also very USA; the price of water at a gas station VS, say, New Zealand :)

Still, in either country we run mostly safe, drinkable water through our toilets and not soda =D

Shades of Brawndo: ”But it’s got electrolytes!”

It seems to alien to me. In Australia soda (soft drink!) at a sporting venue or a bar will cost $3+ or more for a glass. But if you have a licence to serve alcohol, it is a requirement to provide free water to all patrons.

I went to a professional soccer game in a large stadium in South America a couple of years ago in the middle of summer. It was really hot and all I wanted was water, but you couldn’t buy water at the concession stand. The only drink they offered was Coke.

I've only done a small amount of travel outside North America, but, from what I've seen, water is generally less expensive and easier to get in the USA and Canada than elsewhere. One of the more unexpected things I got out of my first trip to Europe was a much greater appreciation for public drinking fountains.

In Western Europe at least, all faucets, unless labelled otherwise, will provide high quality drinking water. This is appreciated when you see some kid licking and slobbering on the drinking fountain in the USA… https://www.tripsavvy.com/tap-water-in-europe-3150039

Reminds me of Germany, where my non-drinking friend would pay more for a coke than I paid for a litre of beer. What a great country.

My experiences in Germany basically led me to believe that most of the restaurant profit is made from drinks and not food, so it's not surprising that they'd be especially sensitive to charging for any kind of drink. I've also seen the same beer vs coke cost experience you have.

There are literally water fountains at every stadium I have been to from pro games to kids leagues. I doubt you can get a free nasty dasani water bottle but you can use any free water fountain without paying.

Giants Stadium has free water next to the bathrooms. Dump out the soda and fill it with water.

This is generally what I do. I get Sprite with extra ice and then refill with water.

I think most, if not all, stands that accept the DD coupons can draw regular filtered water through their fountains if you ask. The DD coupons (it's the coupon that gets you the drink; you need the wristband to redeem the coupon) are only good for product that is not individually inventoried (fountain drinks, coffee, hot chocolate; nothing bottled).

Pro tip: you get the DD promo by signing a pledge sheet at Guest services at any concourse, but the coupons are only accepted at a few designated stands (on Club level, only the stand by section 230).

There are also some water fountains -- in Club, above section 202, by the bathrooms at 210 and 220, and the group area around 231, IIRC).

FWIW, I’ve asked for plain water in the past and been told they cannot do it. Have you been able to get them to serve you anything other than soda?

Good point on the coupon/wristband distinction.

I depends on the stand, I'm guessing. I know the one by 205 has not had plain water, historically... but the water fountains are just 10 yards away. (I usually walk in with a quart-sized cup anyway; security lets open drinks through if they can inspect them.) Any stand will add ice to your cup on request.

Coffee and hot chocolate (and tea?) are other options printed right on the coupon.

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