Food and Drink The ethics of get-it-yourself refills. - Page 3

**Rain Man** · 11:57 PM

I was in a restaurant tonight, and it had a system in place that I like. They set the soda machine out in the dining room, and you can just go get your own refill. Getting my own soda refill is one of my key selection criteria for restaurants these days.

However, I have a conundrum. When I order a soda, I'm usually asked if I want a small, medium, or large.

Now, think about that for a moment. It's free refills with no shame. I don't have to ask someone for my refills, I just go get them.

So the logical approach here is to always order a small drink, right? Maybe I have to get up sooner to get my refill, but big deal. It burns calories to walk over there.

But at the same time, I feel guilty ordering a small soda if I'm already figuring that I'll get a refill. Essentially, I'm getting a large soda for the price of a small. Is this ethical? If I know that I want more than the XX ounces in a small size, should I order the size that closest approximates my need? Or should I look out for my own self-interest and always order the smallest size at the lowest cost?

Poll coming. You can get up and vote on it yourself.

tooge · 10-10-2018, 08:00 AM

I get the large. It's generally like $.50 to $.75 more, big deal. Plus, then I can refill it right before I leave, and have a large to go. If you are needing to cheat the few cents difference, you should probably be eating at home.

mr. tegu · 10-10-2018, 08:11 AM

There are items in grocery stores that they lose money on because they want to get you in the store with a low priced item that many people buy. Think of the soda purchase the same way. They know it may not be profitable if everyone gets a soda and refill as their only purchase, but as you said, you went there because you could get the refill so the restaurant and you both win.

**luv** · 10-10-2018, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

All this... esp if you're a Dr Pepper fan, the mix is off at least 15% of the time in my experience.

Yep. That's the life of a Dr. Pepper drinker.

**ptlyon** · 10-10-2018, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickhead

i almost gave you my first neg rep ever. but i thought that would have been too harsh.

BRING IT YOU AUSSIE TART

**alpha_omega** · 10-10-2018, 08:42 AM

Medium. So you can get a lid and take some with you. If you are having one to go, the small isn't enough.

scho63 · 10-10-2018, 08:52 AM

If you're drinking the disgusting sugary shit that comes out of those refill dispensers at fast food or low budget restaurants, you have bigger issues than how many and cup size.

Costs them about .05 a cup if that. The cup costs more than the liquid.

L.A. Chieffan · 10-10-2018, 09:45 AM

I hate people that get the water cup and then fill it up with Dr. Pepper or whatever right in front of everybody. It's like bro, we can see you.

**Rain Man** · 10-10-2018, 10:00 AM

Hmm, lots of good points here.

First off, I completely agree on putting soda in the water cup. That's just wrong, and there's no gray area there. It's a crime.

With regard to the soda size, I conclude that the most valid argument is that the restaurant is setting the rules, so as long as I play by those rules there is no ethical violation. Therefore, the small soda is the most valid purchase to make. The only exception is if I'm planning to take a refill with me and would prefer the larger size. I like that exception because it gives me a logical reason to assume that a reasonable person could at times choose a size other than small, hence the reason for the restaurant offering up rules that are nonsensical on their face from a dine-in perspective.

So my conclusion is that, going forward, I will order the small soda and collect my refills without hesitation or shame.

Discuss Thrower · 10-10-2018, 10:05 AM

People who put Sprite in a 'water' cup are typically the same people who steal the Tabasco bottles from Chipotle.

**Baby Lee** · 10-10-2018, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

People who put Sprite in a 'water' cup are typically the same people who steal the Tabasco bottles from Chipotle.

I've never done it, but I've seen the argument.

What is your assessment of someone who picks out the Tabasco bottle with the approximate amount remaining they were intending to put on their purchase?

Those making the argument say they're saving mess and hassle for both them and the Chipotle of opening and laying out their purchases to put Tabasco on in-store and saving the staff the trouble of throwing away the bottle.

FAX · 10-10-2018, 10:22 AM

Don't forget this ... Chipolte's commitment to recycling Tobasco bottles is hit and miss ...

If you're a dedicated recycler, take the bottle and save Planet Earth from even further devastation.

Hell ... take all their bottles.

FAX

Discuss Thrower · 10-10-2018, 10:26 AM

If Chipotle meant for customers to take their source of Tabasco home, they'd have the airliner-sized bottles available.

Fish · 10-10-2018, 10:28 AM

McDonalds kinda flips this argument on its head though. They charge the same $1 price regardless of which size you get.

**Baby Lee** · 10-10-2018, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

If Chipotle meant for customers to take their source of Tabasco home, they'd have the airliner-sized bottles available.

You realize that Tabasco bottles aren't self-replenishing?

Are you arguing that Chipotle doesn't intend for you to put the Tabasco inside the bottle on your purchase?

Are you arguing that customers should never use the last of the Tabasco in any particular bottle?

Are you arguing that Chipotle has a proprietary interest in empty Tabasco bottles?

Help me understand the contours of your argument.

FAX · 10-10-2018, 10:29 AM

If the Great Spirit meant us to have unrecycled bottles, they would drop from trees like acorns.

FAX

View Poll Results: What is the ethical approach to ordering soft drinks in a self-refill environment?
Always order the smallest size. It's the logical best value and the restaurant knows what it's doing.	65	67.71%
Order a medium soda with expectations of getting a refill. It's the compromise that is most fair to both parties in combination.	19	19.79%
Order a size that approximates your expected need, even if it means paying more for a large.	5	5.21%
Don't order a soda in a self-refill environment. It's too fraught with ethical minefields.	2	2.08%
I would need to take a college philosophy course before I can answer this.	5	5.21%
Voters: 96. You may not vote on this poll

10-09-2018, 11:52 PM
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3328491 VARSITY	The ethics of get-it-yourself refills. I was in a restaurant tonight, and it had a system in place that I like. They set the soda machine out in the dining room, and you can just go get your own refill. Getting my own soda refill is one of my key selection criteria for restaurants these days. However, I have a conundrum. When I order a soda, I'm usually asked if I want a small, medium, or large. Now, think about that for a moment. It's free refills with no shame. I don't have to ask someone for my refills, I just go get them. So the logical approach here is to always order a small drink, right? Maybe I have to get up sooner to get my refill, but big deal. It burns calories to walk over there. But at the same time, I feel guilty ordering a small soda if I'm already figuring that I'll get a refill. Essentially, I'm getting a large soda for the price of a small. Is this ethical? If I know that I want more than the XX ounces in a small size, should I order the size that closest approximates my need? Or should I look out for my own self-interest and always order the smallest size at the lowest cost? Poll coming. You can get up and vote on it yourself. Last edited by Rain Man; 10-09-2018 at 11:57 PM..
Posts: 141,405

10-10-2018, 08:00 AM	#31
tooge MVP Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Liberty, MO Casino cash: $3964112	I get the large. It's generally like $.50 to $.75 more, big deal. Plus, then I can refill it right before I leave, and have a large to go. If you are needing to cheat the few cents difference, you should probably be eating at home.
Posts: 14,982

10-10-2018, 08:11 AM	#32
mr. tegu Forever Royal Join Date: Mar 2012 Casino cash: $1981300	There are items in grocery stores that they lose money on because they want to get you in the store with a low priced item that many people buy. Think of the soda purchase the same way. They know it may not be profitable if everyone gets a soda and refill as their only purchase, but as you said, you went there because you could get the refill so the restaurant and you both win.
Posts: 24,059

10-10-2018, 08:42 AM	#35
alpha_omega Supporter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Liberty Casino cash: $1651251	Medium. So you can get a lid and take some with you. If you are having one to go, the small isn't enough.
Posts: 16,737

10-10-2018, 08:52 AM	#36
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $2781110	If you're drinking the disgusting sugary shit that comes out of those refill dispensers at fast food or low budget restaurants, you have bigger issues than how many and cup size. Costs them about .05 a cup if that. The cup costs more than the liquid. __________________ *"The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!"* ~Redd Foxx~ ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023~~ 2024 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
Posts: 50,480

10-10-2018, 09:45 AM	#37
L.A. Chieffan PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: American Gardens Building Casino cash: $4068654	I hate people that get the water cup and then fill it up with Dr. Pepper or whatever right in front of everybody. It's like bro, we can see you.
Posts: 17,367

10-10-2018, 10:00 AM	#38
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3328491 VARSITY	Hmm, lots of good points here. First off, I completely agree on putting soda in the water cup. That's just wrong, and there's no gray area there. It's a crime. With regard to the soda size, I conclude that the most valid argument is that the restaurant is setting the rules, so as long as I play by those rules there is no ethical violation. Therefore, the small soda is the most valid purchase to make. The only exception is if I'm planning to take a refill with me and would prefer the larger size. I like that exception because it gives me a logical reason to assume that a reasonable person could at times choose a size other than small, hence the reason for the restaurant offering up rules that are nonsensical on their face from a dine-in perspective. So my conclusion is that, going forward, I will order the small soda and collect my refills without hesitation or shame. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,405

10-10-2018, 10:05 AM	#39
Discuss Thrower "You like to drink?" Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: "I like to drink." Casino cash: $3236869	People who put Sprite in a 'water' cup are typically the same people who steal the Tabasco bottles from Chipotle. __________________ Chiefs 2016 Opponents: Home: JAX, TEN, NO, TB, NYJ. Away: HOU, IND, ATL, CAR, PIT Chiefs 2017 Opponents: Home: BUF, MIA, PHI, WSH, AFC North. Away: NE, NYJ, NYG, DAL, AFC South
Posts: 42,701

10-10-2018, 10:22 AM	#41
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Don't forget this ... Chipolte's commitment to recycling Tobasco bottles is hit and miss ... If you're a dedicated recycler, take the bottle and save Planet Earth from even further devastation. Hell ... take all their bottles. FAX
Posts: 44,492

10-10-2018, 10:26 AM	#42
Discuss Thrower "You like to drink?" Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: "I like to drink." Casino cash: $3236869	If Chipotle meant for customers to take their source of Tabasco home, they'd have the airliner-sized bottles available. __________________ Chiefs 2016 Opponents: Home: JAX, TEN, NO, TB, NYJ. Away: HOU, IND, ATL, CAR, PIT Chiefs 2017 Opponents: Home: BUF, MIA, PHI, WSH, AFC North. Away: NE, NYJ, NYG, DAL, AFC South
Posts: 42,701

10-10-2018, 10:28 AM	#43
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2288919	McDonalds kinda flips this argument on its head though. They charge the same $1 price regardless of which size you get. __________________
Posts: 47,512

10-10-2018, 10:29 AM	#45
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	If the Great Spirit meant us to have unrecycled bottles, they would drop from trees like acorns. FAX
Posts: 44,492