The prosecution: Jenny
The three-litre ‘tank’ never leaves his side – it’s cringe-inducing and unnecessary
My boyfriend Jared’s obsession with staying hydrated runs deep. He’s always been a bit of a gym nut, but when we moved from Scotland to a hot country, he went to the next level. Now, he carries a giant water container around with him everywhere. I call it the tank.
It holds three litres and is green and ridiculous-looking. Jared has this giant flask hanging off him at all times, and says it helps him reach his target of drinking four litres a day, but I’m sure that’s too much for anyone.
Jared loves where we live, as it’s always sunny, but he maintains that the hot weather means he loses more electrolytes and salts after his weight-lifting sessions, which happen four times a week. That’s why he’s taken to carrying around more water.
If he forgets the bottle when we’re out, it’s like this huge emergency. He gets cranky, like a baby without its bottle. I think it’s funny, though a little extreme.
The tank goes everywhere. It is next to the bed before we go to sleep, it goes in the car, and it goes to the beach. When we’re in our apartment, he hooks it on to a strap around his body as he walks around.
The worst is when we go into cafes and restaurants: Jared will always plonk the tank on the table. The waiter will offer us water and Jared will say, “No, thanks, I have some” and either drink from the flask or pour his water into the restaurant’s glasses. In my opinion, that is not normal.
In the UK, he’d never get away with it, but luckily service where we live is more relaxed. Aside from a raised eyebrow and a little smile from the staff, no one says anything. I find it cringe-inducing though.
Jared says he keeps the tank with him so he can track exactly how much water he’s drinking, but I think: put your bottle away, especially in a nice place. I don’t have a problem with him hitting his targets, but I’d prefer it if he didn’t bring the bottle everywhere; it’s unnecessary and cumbersome. And, when we are out, surely he can just enjoy what we get at the restaurant.
The defence: Jared
My flask is good for the environment and keeps me hydrated – no one else bats an eyelid
Call me boring, but hydration is important to me. I like to make sure that I’m hitting all my nutrition and water targets every day. I take supplements, I keep track of the amounts of protein, fats and carbs that I eat, and I like to stay hydrated.
Jenny isn’t fussed about my eating, but will try to get at me for carrying around my flask of water, which she nicknames “the tank” because of its size and colour. The tank is great, though. It’s good for the environment because I don’t buy plastic water bottles, and it helps me stay hydrated all day long.
Drinking four litres of water a day is normal for someone of my build and my level of activity. Jenny says I’m going to “flood my brain”, but she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. I sweat it all out. Plus, we are living somewhere much hotter than Scotland now, so I get through more water than I used to. In Scotland I had a smaller flask, and definitely didn’t drink as much, but since moving here I’ve had more time to focus on my fitness. That’s why I bought the tank.
It comes with this long strap so I can carry it wherever. It’s not true that I’ll have a tantrum if I forget it, but it is obviously annoying when I do, so I try not to. Once, when we were in an Uber on our way to the beach, I asked to turn around to go back and get it. There was no way I could have spent a day out in the sun without it.
I do bring the tank everywhere with me – I concede that – though I don’t think it’s that rude to show up at restaurants equipped with your own water. Who’s going to ask you to leave a place because you’ve brought water? It’s not like I’m smuggling booze in.
Most places don’t care, but if we’re at a fancy restaurant, of course I’d leave the tank at home. I just like to pour my own water because sometimes it’s got vitamins in it, and I want to make sure I consume them all before I drink other water. Jenny rolls her eyes but, honestly, no one else bats an eyelid, so I don’t think I’ll stop doing it until I’m asked. And the flask will stay hanging off my hip from morning to night so I can remain properly hydrated.
The jury of Guardian readers
Should Jared ditch the tank?
I’m with Jenny: the bottle is embarrassing. Also, Jared is spending huge amounts of energy tracking what he is eating and drinking. Perhaps that’s not very fun to be around?
Kitty, 31
I can see that the “tank” is irritating but if it’s so important to Jared’s idea of keeping a healthy lifestyle, Jenny probably needs to just accept it. I would draw the line at using it in a nice restaurant though.
Colin, 53
There’s nothing wrong with carrying around a water bottle, but it does seem like Jared has a slightly obsessive attachment to his. He and the tank definitely don’t need to be joined at the hip - literally - at all times. Surely it’s not worth choosing your water targets over your girlfriend?
Lucy, 27
Jared needs to stop counting his carbs and water intake. If he must do it, then it should happen in private only (it’s potentially allowed at the gym) but even so, just get a normal-size water bottle.
Annabelle, 30
I’m in the live and let live camp on this. Allow the tank! It’s part of Jared’s vibe. He’s into health and rather than plastic bottles he’s got his own green tank, which sounds great – I want to see it. If I had one I’d probably lose it though. Can’t Jenny accommodate a little idiosyncrasy in the relationship?
Andy, 60
Now you be the judge
In our online poll below, tell us: should Jared stop lugging his beloved “tank” around everywhere he goes?
The poll closes at 10am on Thursday 19 October
Last week’s result
We asked whether Kiran should pack her clothes away and not leave them in her suitcase.
40% of you said yes – Kiran is guilty
60% of you said no – Kiran is innocent
