Ordering some water with your meal in Portugal.

Water water everywhere.

When you ask your waiter/ess for water almost everyone these days thinks of bottled mineral water.

You may be asked sem gas?, or perhaps com gas?

Which i am sure you will gather is for still water or sparkling water. 

But, did you know about the others?

In Portugal for example, they will first ask fresca or natural.

They are simply asking which temperature you prefer to drink your water. It means cold or at room temperature, as most Portuguese, and some Europeans, also, now  prefer to drink room temperature water, whatever the weather.

If this appeals to you, ask for natural, and if like me you wish to drink cold water on a hot day go for the fresca option.

At some smaller eating places the other option would be to ask for some copo de aqua.

This is simply a glass of tap water, this would be the alternative option if you feel unable to finish a whole bottle of mineral water.

But unless you specify some ice, it will be served natural. (Room temperature)

I hope you are not too thirsty after reading this!