Minutes on the Matter of Restaurant Table Water
Both people said they were not thirsty when the waiter asked. The water arrived anyway. The water is mostly gone.
MINUTES OF THE TABLE WATER SESSION LOCATION: Restaurant, third table from the window ATTENDEES: Two diners and a jug of water
The waiter offered water at 7:48pm. Both diners indicated they were not particularly thirsty and would be fine with just a little water.
A jug was placed on the table. Two glasses were filled.
7:49pm: One diner picked up the glass while reading the menu. The glass was set down twenty percent lighter.
7:51pm: The second diner took a sip while the first diner was speaking. This was not a deliberate decision.
7:54pm: Both glasses were approximately half empty. Neither diner had made a conscious decision to drink.
7:56pm: First glass refilled from the jug by the first diner, automatically, during a conversational pause.
7:59pm: Second glass refilled similarly.
8:04pm: Jug empty.
Analysis
The initial statement of not being thirsty was accurate at 7:48pm. Thirst was not the driver of the water consumption. The presence of the glass in hand, combined with the natural pauses in conversation and the background social activity of a restaurant, produced unconscious drinking.
The water was consumed because it was there and because holding and drinking from a glass is a comfortable action in an environment where something should be in one's hands.
The Correct Behavior
The restaurant brought water. The diners drank it. The water was pleasant. This is the correct sequence of events. The initial declaration of not being thirsty was accurate and also irrelevant. The water was going to be consumed regardless.
Another jug was requested.