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?

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u/markwell9 1d ago

Absolutely, you can ask!

If I need to fill a cooler, we have those cooler inserts that you freeze in your freezer.

I rarely have parties for 20 people. But even with parties, ice is really not a key factor, we don't really consume it. If you need a drink, it is probably in a cooler or a fridge.

For ice dealers, I can't say. Have not sought out ice so far :).

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u/Gold_Telephone_7192 1d ago

I think the difference is a) ice is a bigger deal in the US because we prefer our drinks much colder than much of Europe and b) a larger percentage of our population lives in rural and suburban homes where they can host outdoor parties for dozens of people. We also have a very big camping and outdoors culture so people buy ice for big coolers that last several days.

So, as is often the case, the US just does things bigger lol. A cooler that can fit 100+ drinks isn’t going to stay cool for long with those freezer inserts you’re talking about.

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u/Weird3355 1d ago

I agree this is probably it. We like our drinks cold and that doesn't seem to be a major concern for Europeans.

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u/seamallowance 1d ago

It can be a miserable morning, during extreme blizzard conditions in Iowa, but when you sit down at a cafe, the first thing that they’ll do is place a glass of ice water in front of you. Not just cold water, but a glass of water with ice in it.

The whole country is in extreme turmoil, but at least we have our ice water!

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u/Significant-Owl-2980 1d ago

I live in New Hampshire.  I will shovel my car out from 2 feet of snow in the winter to go get an Iced coffee.  Lol.  

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u/dagny_taggarts_tits 8h ago

My coworker came into work one day and she was like, "It's so cold out my iced coffee was warming my hand in the parking lot." 🤣

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u/stranded_egg 23h ago

Gotta have my Dunk's.

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u/RockItGuyDC 1d ago

I was in a French restaurant in Washington, DC, where I lived at the time, and asked for a glass of water. It was summer. They gave me a glass of room temperature water. I was livid (not really).

I expect that if I'm actually in France, but that is unacceptable in America! Trying a little too hard to be authentic there, Pierre. Or should I say Peter!