India, March 29 -- A Mumbai-based entrepreneur has sparked a discussion online after explaining how a common restaurant practice can lead people to spend money without actively choosing to.

Taking to X, Chanakya Shah, co-founder of hydration supplement brand UP&RUN, pointed out how many restaurants place a bottle of water on the table even before customers place an order. He said that what was once an Rs.15 mineral water bottle is now often replaced with Rs.60 options or premium labels like Vedica and Himalayan.

In his post, Shah argued that this subtle placement acts as a default, nudging customers into spending more. "When something is already placed in front of you, it feels like the default choice. Saying no suddenly requires effort...