I can't find a prior thread about ice, so here we go.
We are still settling in to life in Switzerland and find many, actually most, aspects outstanding. We've conformed to the quiet, mow our lawn 4 times per week, and carefully and lovingly sort all rubbish into the 17 appropriate categories, designated by our Gemeinde. We like it here.
Having said that, there are understandably things we miss about America, one of which is ice. Mmmmmm, ice. Ice is everywhere in the states. I miss our fridge that automatically made blocks or chips or snow-cone ice. Mmmmm. I miss free refills of Ice Tea in a cup packed to the top with lovely, wonderful ice. Mmmmmm. Having a backyard (loud) grill party? Be sure to pick up 3 or 4 ten pound bags of ice from the gas station. Yeah! Ice is an important part of most American's lives.
We've wondered why no ice in drinks in Switzerland. We are honestly just really curious about this part of the culture. It's not a bad thing (we cope), it's just noticeably different.
I've asked around. Answers range from ice being a waste of time and energy to a genuine and heartfelt aversion to drinks being watered down. And yesterday, we heard that many people here feel ice is bad for your stomach, which was a new one. Hmm....
Any ideas? Anyone else miss ice? Anyone heard other reasons about the minimal ice usage?
Does anyone know why it isn't typically served in a restaurant, for example? While I know you can buy it, I'm really trying to understand if there are any cultural reasons behind getting an ice tea with no ice.
FYI, I did look, there are over 100 threads on ICE, mostly relating to ice skates, and the link you provided is about where to get ice, not why you can't find ice in your drink at dinner.
Honestly, it's so early in my day for Forum Legend bullying. Need some coffee...
I do ask, I get it. Again, I'm just wondering why it's not standard. For example, I sat next to a very nice Swiss couple on my last flight to the states and they asked for no ice, while I was asking for a cup of only ice.
I asked they why they don't prefer ice...why drinking Sprite warm was their preference. They said it was that they don't trust the water in the ice...
I knew someone who worked in a bar, where they always made their own ice in cube trays.
When the trays were first filled with tap water (of dubious origin), they always put a dead fly, from the Insectocutor, into each compartment.
This way they could ensure that the customer finished their drink quickly, before the cube melted, and thus increased turnover - either of drinks ........
....... or customers.
[note to self: bigger font size and/or new glasses]
It is not particularly healthy to drink icy water and it makes you - eventually - feeling hotter. That's why they drink tea in hot countrys.
I always had a feeling you just got that much ice in your tap-water so you wouldn't taste the chlorine in it because of the cold temperature. And I always absolutely hated to taste the melting ice cubes chlorine taste seeping into my drink. Eeek....
Ice Tea is called Ice Tea originally because it needs ice to develop his delicious taste:Hot tea gets poured over ice cubes (add sugar and lemon juice if you must) and the effect of the shock gives it its particular taste, maybe you'll find some half melted ice cubes in it. I only like it if it is prepared this way