Water has become a bizarre social signal. If you show up to a dinner party with a six-pack of generic store-brand spring water, people look at you like you brought a raccoon. But if you bring a glass bottle with a French label, you’re suddenly sophisticated. Ooh la la, look at your fancy wet stuff.
I once watched a friend refuse a glass of perfectly good tap water at a restaurant and order a bottle of San Pellegrino for $7. He drank it with the same face you make when tasting expensive wine—noble, slightly confused, and pretending to detect “minerals.” The water was fine. His ego cost extra.
The Anecdote from the Vending Machine
Here’s a true story: I was at a train station, absolutely dying of thirst. My wallet had exactly one crumpled dollar. I fed it to the vending machine, hit the button for a 20-ounce bottle, and… the machine ate my dollar and gave me nothing. I stood there, face to glass, wondering if this was rock bottom. Another traveler saw my plight, handed me a bottle from their bag, and said, “Don’t worry, it’s just water.”
What Is A Normal Glass Of Water at Marcellus Meyers blog
That was the most expensive glass of water I didn’t get, and also the most valuable lesson. Free water from a stranger is worth more than any boutique brand. It’s like finding a crisp bill in an old pair of jeans, but for your soul.
