The Water Nazi

We recently had a heat wave in Portland – 90 degrees and humid – definitely not normal for early June in our city. As I waited at the Seattle’s Best Café inside the downtown Border’s for my iced coffee, a young woman came to the counter and politely asked for a glass of water.

“May I please have a glass of water?”

“We’re not allowed to give out water.”

“Can I pay for a glass of water?”

“We can’t do that, you have to buy a bottle of water from over there,” pointing to a wicker basket display of room temperature water, “unless you buy food.”

The girl and I both looked at the display, knowing that wasn’t going to do the trick, and she didn’t want (or couldn’t afford) food. I was about to tell them I want water with my iced coffee when the barista said “you can go to Starbucks down the street, they will give you water.”

The girl left. She was much nicer than I would have been in the same situation. I just looked at the barista and stated what she already knew: Seattle’s Best is owned by Starbucks.