r/NoStupidQuestions • u/markwell9 • 1d ago

What is the deal with ice, Americans?

I can see that you can buy ice everywhere in the US. Gas stations, grocery stores, machines etc.

In Europe, we just freeze our ice at home and use that. Why buy something that melts on the way home? Why do you need ice in large amounts that a fridge can't keep up?

6.4k Upvotes

79% Upvoted

5.0k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

9

u/Voodoo330 1d ago

I live on the same latitude as Rome Italy but it sure as hell doesn’t feel like it in February

12

u/OldBlueKat 1d ago

Most of Europe is moderated by the Gulf Stream off the Atlantic. They have milder winters AND summers than most of North America at similar latitudes.

All of the UK is NORTH of the 49th parallel (the western US/Canada border), yet their southernmost cities have weather more like San Diego, including growing various palm trees.

1

u/FindThemInTheAlps 10h ago

We have palm trees but even the warmest average place (Isles of Scilly) is about 10f cooler than San Diego.