Wife is very worried about husband's drinking
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DEAR AMY: When dining out, my husband and I notice that when the wait staff fills (or refills) water glasses they touch the water container to rims of the glasses.
If the server does touch the rim with the water container (or their fingers), then I stop drinking the water and order bottled water instead.
My husband wants to explain to the server why I am not drinking the water from the germ-contaminated container.
Although I would rather not embarrass restaurant personnel, my husband and I agree it is a public health issue. My sister suggested we print up an educational brochure and leave one with a good tip. I don't want to use improper etiquette to educate others about improper etiquette! We agree to abide by your suggestion. -- Worried Water Drinker
DEAR WORRIED: In researching your question, I learned all sorts of things I wish I didn't know about how some restaurants serve water (hint: NEVER ask for a slice of lemon or lime in your drink).
You are correct that there is some risk of contamination if fingers -- and/or the pitcher -- touch the rim of your water glass.
Please -- don't print up an educational brochure. Just treat the waiter like an adult and say, "Hey -- could you do me a favor and not touch the rim of the glass with the pitcher? I'm worried about cross-contamination."
DEAR AMY: The letter from "Bride" really hit home for me. My father was never really in my life during my childhood, and yet I really wanted him to be there for me when I got married.
The thing is -- he wouldn't change just because I was getting married. It was hard for me, but now I get it. -- Sad Daughter
DEAR SAD: Yes -- I get it too.
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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook. Amy Dickinson's memoir, "The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter and the Town that Raised Them" (Hyperion), is available in bookstores.)
