'We won't serve you hot water without a tea bag in it', say train staff

[whole diary]

[John R]

To be fair the "commuter" (long commute Penarth to Bournemouth) was offering to pay for the hot water. She just wanted the teabag taken out first. It's not that unreasonable a request, although blown out of all proportion.  I guess as she's in PR^▸ (Public Relations) then what should we expect. Though I wonder whether her own employer is as flexible with its customers if they want something slightly outside the normal terms and conditions. 

[SDS]

I was once told on a GNER^▸ (Great North Eastern Railways) (yeah that long ago) that my scolding hot coffee in a paper cup "Must be served in a paper bag in case you drop it". Like the bag is going to hold that much water.

Anyhow.
If its a trolley service on non HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) then that is Rail Gourmless and they are extremely harsh on stock counts. EVERYTHING must be counted. Cups, stirrers, coffee sachets (normally that starbucks instant c**p), tea bags, etc etc, if its down then that staff member must account for it or pay for it themselves.
On an HST staff are FGW^▸ (First Great Western), and the stock counts are slightly less intense after all they flog off the cheap unbranded stuff to first class pax for free.

Personally I cannot see why the cup of hot water (with lid, H&S^▸ (Health and Safety) remember !!!) could have been served and the dry tea bag given to the lady for her to do with as she saw fit.
Wasnt this the way that Midland Mainline used to do their free hot drinks for all customers. Heres your hot water, tea bags and coffee over there.

[JayMac]

if its down then that staff member must account for it or pay for it themselves.

And if it's up? Presumably the staff member gets to keep the excess stock or the monetary value.

No. I know that doesn't really happen. What will happen, if there is over-stock, is the staff member will be under suspicion of diddling customers, even though that diddling will be in favour of the employer and not the staff member themself.

So, once again, and as many have said; if a customer wants hot water and is willing to pay for it then sell it and do what the heck you like with the teabag.