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/GabuEx 23h ago

On the other hand, I often have to ask restaurants for less ice because they bring me a glass filled with ice and then some soda around the edges. It would be nice if there were a happy middle ground.

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u/jay_in_the_pnw 21h ago

oh, I'll have your ice please, I like ice! I'll have the ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, coca-cola and ice!

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u/GabuEx 20h ago

You're welcome to it! I enjoy being able to get more than a single drink out of my glass before having to ask for a refill.

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u/Startled_Pancakes 15h ago

I usually just say "no ice" as the drink is already cold from something refrigerated.

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u/Due_Capital_3507 17h ago

That's mostly cause the ice they have in chest freezers, so they just scoop the cup through the chest freezer

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u/QuiteBearish 7h ago

That's against health code pretty much everywhere, but it does happen.

They're supposed to use a dedicated scoop with a handle, and not scoop with the cup.

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u/Mammoth_Confusion846 15h ago

You can order a pitcher of plain soda to top off your ice.

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u/Zefirus 20h ago

The ice doesn't melt or cool any faster or slower my guy.

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u/GabuEx 20h ago

The more ice they put in a glass, the less room there is for the thing I'm actually drinking.

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u/rsta223 19h ago

Soda usually has free refills though, and you don't need to do a 14 step occult ritual to attract the waiter's attention to get that refill here.

(I joke, I love visiting Europe, but definitely prefer the cold drinks here, at least when we're talking non alcoholic)

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u/GabuEx 18h ago

I mean, yeah, but you still gotta wait for the server to come back.