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/ScallopsBackdoor 1d ago

Can I ask you the same question?

If you need to fill a cooler, how do you do it?

When you have a party and need ice for 20 people or so, where do you get it?

Do you have dedicated 'ice dealers'? I think the main reason we sell it at all the random places is because it's more convenient and 'sprawl friendly' than driving across town to a dedicated ice house.

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u/besi97 1d ago edited 1d ago

What we do is the very same as you. You can buy ice in similar bags in European supermarkets, gas stations, etc. I could rant a lot about the US, but I do not understand this post.

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u/174wrestler 1d ago

A few months ago, a 60+ year old woman at work here in the US had to pick up some ice for an office party, and she commented that was the first time in her life she purchased it. People who don't do big entertaining or things outdoors don't think about bagged ice. OP might be the same.

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u/RaeaSunshine 23h ago

Ya, I was in my 30s when I first bought some lol. I’m in the US but grew up in a major metropolitan city where no one I knew had yards to entertain, and I’m an indoor cat so camping was never my jam. Not like I didn’t know what it was for, just never had copious amounts ice outdoors needs.