when i first moved to hong kong one of the first things i had to learn (after the airconditioning) was the lesson about water.
in north america, when you request a glass of water, you are likely to receive a glass of cold water. many fridges have ice cube makers attached to the outside of the fridge, acknowledging the popularity of cold drinks.
in hong kong, i would arrive at an office for an interview. a polite secretary would greet me and offer me tea or water. gasping (wasn't used to the heat yet), i would gratefully accept the water. seconds later, there would be a glass infront of me. i would reach for it, and as i cupped it realise that, the water was hot.
or possibly, room temperature.
in hong kong, the majority of restaurants and offices do not offer cold water. icecubes are out of the question. the water cooler offers room temperature water or hot water. better for digestion, according to my acupuncturist.
my acupuncturist said it was too much a shock to the system to take cold water. room temperature was best. i have heard the history of asians drinking hot water started with them boiling water because the water was impure and they needed to boil it to make it drinkable.
who knows the reason, but in hong kong, cold water isn't the norm. and in my home, it really isn't either. we have the water dispenser, and i drink room temperature or heated water. if i buy bottled water when i am out with the kids it will probably be chilled, but that's the only time i will drink chilled water. after a run or hike, i drink room temperature water. i find it much easier on my stomach.
hot water sort of grows on you.
some restaurants in hong kong are quite snooty and refuse to give patrons "tap water" with a meal. they say they only serve bottled or sparkling. i have learned (and frugal would be so proud) that a good way around this is to order a glass of hot water. this will be tap water, but heated, but there will be no charge for it. if you wish, wait until it has cooled a bit, or drink it piping hot.
since coming to asia, i have learned to like iced tea at room temperature or with only one ice cube.
but i still like diet colas at a v. cold temperature.
did you know what starbucks cups are different sizes in Hong Kong than they are in North America? The "Large" starbucks here is about four ounces smaller than the largest drink available in NA. interesting.
You are darn right that Mr. Frugal is sooooo Proowed.
Love to all....Dad
Posted by: GDadLyons | January 13, 2011 at 02:36 AM
I like room temperature, but saying that in Vegas you have to be careful as sometimes room temp is 110f. So perhaps around 70 - when asking for water I have to specify no ice, and get strange looks. But hot? no
Posted by: joeinvegas | January 14, 2011 at 04:00 AM