I was in Paris some years ago, and it surprised me that a jug of water for drinking was free on every table. Of course if you wanted any other beverage you’d pay for it, but just quenching your thirst was free.

In Germany water is not free, but instead another income for restaurants. Also it needs a law (only since 2001) that the cheapest beverage must be non-alcoholic. (Yet water could be more expensive than beer, as long as e.g. apple juice costs equal or less.)

In India water is free in almost all restaurants.

Even if you don't order anything, you can just drink it and leave.

Some fancy restaurants don't allow it though.

I thought the author from the US where water is usually served for free, pretty much in all restaurants?