During a recent trip to Germany, Vincent went to the local supermarket to get some groceries. He came back with a 6-pack of bottled water. I’m not sure why he got the water. German water is just fine to drink.
In any case, he opened up the first bottle and heard “psht.” He realized that he had purchased “gassy” carbonated water.
Vincent likes carbonated water. I don’t. Neither do our kids.
‘Classic’ Doesn’t Mean ‘Normal’
“It said ‘classic,’ on the bottle, so I thought that meant ‘normal,’” Vincent stated. Obviously not.
The next day, we returned to the supermarket to get “normal” water or “still” water. There it was, written in bold on the plastic bottle—“still.”
When I saw that word, it reminded me of a story that a friend recently told me about his first traveling adventure in Europe.
‘Still’ or ‘Active’?
In a restaurant, the waiter asked him if he wanted “still” or “active” water.
He had no idea what that meant, but laughed and responded, “I don’t know. It would be nice to have my water sitting long enough in a glass for me to drink it. Perhaps ‘still’ water would be best. I certainly don’t want ‘active’ water that will jump out of the glass!”
If you haven’t traveled the world, you may have never heard the expressions “still” and “active” water. “Still” water is “normal” or “regular” water—sometimes called “flat” water—and “active” water is “carbonated” or “sparkling” water with active gas bubbles.
There are all kinds of different words for “still” water. On a recent flight with a Spanish airline, the stewardess asked me if I wanted “natural” water. I wasn’t sure what she meant until she said, “Natural or gassy water?”
“Natural water,” I replied with a smile.
Carbonated water is water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. This produces a bubbly drink that’s also known as sparkling water, club soda, soda water, seltzer water and fizzy water. With the exception of seltzer water, carbonated waters usually have salt added to improve the taste. Sometimes small amounts of other minerals are included.
Healthline
If you travel in Europe and in many parts of the world, be prepared for this question whenever you order “water.”
Do you want your water sitting “still” in your glass or do you want it “actively” swimming around?
—The Cultural Story-Weaver
Let’s Weave Cultures!
When you have traveled the world, have you had some funny or interesting experiences when ordering food and drinks?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures!” Write about them in the comment box below.
