All those recommendations about whatever crazy-high amount of water you’re supposed to have in a day. If you want to even get close, it’s either a few chug-sessions per day, or else carrying water to sip constantly.

… also, it probably helps replace cigarettes as an oral fixation, which is what everyone used to use.

You don't actually need that much water if you are sitting in an air-conditioned office.

Dry-mouth is a very common side effect for medications and it can even stick around after you stop taking the medications. It may be a personal bias due to medication use but I think it is 'need vs want' at that point. You may not suffer dehydration with dry mouth but it is uncomfortable.

I know that, but it’s by far the most common reason I hear for folks who carry water bottles everywhere, including office workers: they’re trying to get close to some very-high daily water intake recommendation.

Well, it sounds like those kids on their horses had canteens too...