Ice is nice. Or maybe it’s not. Bignai/Shutterstock We live in a divided world, awash with concerns.
I know this not just from following the news but from observing people in my natural habitat – restaurants, of course – and fielding complaints from the dining public. Maybe it’s because we had the hottest summer on record. Perhaps it’s a desire to be in control, or embedded in the American way of life.
Whatever the reason, I’ve noticed a sudden fascination with whether a restaurant serves (first-world problem alert!) ice in water. People have strong opinions on the subject. Meet Ellen, a recent participant of my every-Wednesday online dining Q & A.
“Why have restaurants started leaving ice out of water?” she asked. “This was always a thing in Europe, where asking for ice could become an international incident. Now it’s happening here.
I want ice in my water and I don’t think I should have to beg for it.” Another member of Team Ice identified themself as Margofornow. “I am having to request a cup of ice more and more often and it’s one more task that’s on me as a diner and didn’t used to be.
And it also means I need the table space for that extra water glass or cup, and am adding ice to the beverage glass as I consume it. Just bring ice water, already.” Dissenters, including people with teeth sensitivity, followed with a river of rebuttals.
“Ice can make water tougher to drink!” posted a chatter with the handle SomeWhoCallMeTim. “It’s .
