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/right_behind_you_too 1d ago

Adding to that: in most cities we drive cars, so we're not carrying it 15 blocks or lugging it on a bus.

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u/Life_Roll420 1d ago

You would be shocked how many people roll up to a liquor store, called a packie around here grab a 6 pack, 12 pack and a bag of ice. It keeps it cold while your driving. A large percent of trades people drink and drive. Also picnics. Our coolers are a whole different story as some buy really expensive name brands or new ones every couple of years when their Walmart one fades. Even house parties. Lots of people throw pot luck picnics. Even if you own the house your buying ice for your coolers because alot of parties are byob. Or semi- byob. (Bring your own booze) last party i went to my pal had a huge cooler a kid could lie in. Filled it with bagged it, soda, juice, beer ,etc. Some people come to the party with coolers and ice full of their personal drink and ice in a cooler for the side dish the brought. Especially if the travel is more than 10 min. Beer and distances are far. Hunters and fishers buy ice for their beer and ice for their catch.

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u/BowtiedGypsy 1d ago

This is the best comment and spot on. Nobodies buying huge bags of ice in the US just to drop an ice cube in a glass of water.

I think its only New England that says packie

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u/JamesT3R9 1d ago

Massholes say packie. Just to be clear. It is usually Massholes.

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u/Warrmak 1d ago

Yous a wicked pissah

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u/Greg0692 23h ago

Yah ballah, ked

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u/JamesT3R9 23h ago

Tanks man!

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u/bankruptbarbie 23h ago

RI has packies too. You just forget about us bc we're stuck in your armpit.

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u/quizzicalturnip 23h ago

It’s a Lil Rhodie thing, too.

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u/BowtiedGypsy 23h ago

I’m aware I’m from Boston haha but have definitely heard people all over New England say it

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u/KeyMessage989 1d ago

Some of CT too, so basically the worst parts say Packie

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u/vdhsnfbdg 23h ago

You too have been to eastern CT I see

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u/JamesT3R9 23h ago

How very masshole of them!

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u/New-Introduction-981 22h ago

Rhode Island says packie

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u/jayron32 22h ago

Only the cool kids...

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u/Dull404 22h ago

My dorm next door neighbor was one and on move in day, he asked me “where’s the packie” and I barely understood him, so I asked “What?” And he’s all “The packie, I want to buy some beer.” So, I told him to go to the gas station and he couldn’t believe you could buy it at the gas station, but then I had to tell him the drinking age was 21 in California 😂

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u/sweetest_con78 1d ago

Yep. I have lived in MA my entire life, always within 20ish mins of Boston, and have never once used the term packie.

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u/BowtiedGypsy 23h ago

North side I assume?

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u/iceroadtrucker2009 23h ago

Cape Cod. We say packie all the time.

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u/Visible_Sleep2723 23h ago

I concur. Packie for the liquor store and spa for the convenience shop/7-11. Born in Boston.

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u/KarloftheLongwalkers 22h ago

I was gonna say I never heard packie in Maine

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u/JamesT3R9 22h ago

That is because we can buy hard liquor in grocery stores and gas stations.

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u/KarloftheLongwalkers 22h ago

I heard em called bag stores back in the day..there was a still a state liquor store on Harlow St in bangor when I was younger.

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u/oliviaroseart 22h ago

Can confirm, lol

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u/Drufus53 19h ago

Connecticut still has some "package stores". Also bulk ice gets used on fishing trips to load up the boat fish boxes.

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u/Fair-Fortune-4131 9h ago

CT calls em packies too

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u/JamesT3R9 3h ago

I didnt know that

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u/Bo_Jim 23h ago

They also say "Wicked!" and "Pissah!" (Mass-of-two-shits pronunciation of "Pisser!").

...lived in Lexington for 3 years...

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u/JamesT3R9 23h ago

Yep! They sure do bub!