Japanese unique hospitality: water is for free!

At a restaurant in Japan, You will see a unique omotenashi (service/hospitality).

It is "offering Oshibori and Ohiya."

Oshibori（おしぼり）＝a wet towel.
("shiboru" is a verb, which means "wring out"

Ohiya （お冷）= a glass of water

（"hiya" means cold)

お(o) in おしぼり and お冷や is a honorific prefix. It is written 御 in Kanji.

Here are examples: お酒(sake) ,お茶（green tea) and おはし（chopsticks)

In summer, you will be served a cold towel and in winter; a hot towel.

At some restaurants, they serve hot green tea instead of water.

but, you can also ask for a glass of water which is no charge.

It is said that elder Japanese men (ojisan) tend to wipe their faces

and even their pitfalls with the oshibori. hahaha.

(but, in fact, this is not a good manner.)

Or, children make a cute penguin by folding the oshibori

 (like making Origami) I did when I was a child.

In case, the waiters forget to serve them,

let's tell them like,

「すみません、おしぼりとお冷ください。」

　sumimasen   Oshibori to Ohiya kudasai.

Excuse me, can I have an oshibori and a glass of water?

「すみません、お冷をお願いします。」

     sumimasen,    Oriya wo Onegaishimasu.

Excuse me, a glass of water, please.

「すみません、おしぼりをもう一つください。」

   sumimasen,      oshibori wo      mo-hitotsu kudasai.

    

   Excuse me, can I have an extra hot towel?

   (mo-hitotsu means one more/ another one)

「すみません、お冷（お水）のおかわりください。」

   sumimasen, ohiya   (omuzu)no okawari kudasai.

  

　　Excuse me, can I have a refill?

Now, it's time to check the menu!