Why do Americans (generally) use straws in public, but not at home? Is the USA the only country that serves every cold drink with a straw in it? Where did the straw come from and why was it invented?I read that the Sumerians first used them (made of actual straw, doh) in their beer to avoid the solid byproducts of fermentation. I've also read that some people use them out of concern over the cleanliness of the glass and that it is believed that it helps to quench the thirst more quickly.
I never use straws at home and I only use them in public because most soft drinks are served with too much ice; when I use one of the self-serve drink dispensers at a fast food place, I never use a straw, unless I'm taking the food to-go; there is less chance of spillage if one uses a straw.
What are your thoughts?
I agree. I generally will use a straw to get past the ice. Also, when I do get fast food beverages, I am usually going to a drive through and don't want to spill. I think mainly straw usage in family restaurants is simply conditioning. We are used to it.
ReplyDeleteGo to a high end restaraunt and try to even ASK for a straw. They will look at you funny.
What say yee PSM? I don't recall getting a straw when fine dining. Is it even an option?
Only with pre-dinner cocktails.
ReplyDeleteWine through a straw? Ick.
I don't normally get ice in drinks, but when there is ice, I use a straw. There have been some times when I've been sick and unable to sit up to drink and I've used a straw to prevent spilling all over myself. Jim found that, when he had a toothache, using a straw was less painful than drinking straight out of a glass.
ReplyDeleteI just remembered going to a drive-in movie with Karen Powers (remember Karen-nah-nah-nah?) where we drank Boone's Farm Apple Wine through a straw. We used the straw so we could hide the bottle. We got royally drunk!
ReplyDeleteI always use a straw when I'm really ill, or when I had a toothache. We always keep a large bag of straws.
ReplyDeleteI just wonder if other countries use them like we do publicly. I don't remember ever seeing them in England or Austria.
The straw - especially the bendy kind - help reduce cholesterol.
ReplyDeleteTrue!
I didn't know that!
ReplyDeleteEver since someone told me that delivery guys have been known to pee on the cases of pop cans, I've washed the top of each can and used a straw! (Don't know if that's true, but still...)
ReplyDeleteOh God, Kathy! I could have gone all day without knowing that little tidbit of information!
ReplyDeleteeeeeeewwwwwwwhhhhhh!!!!
Ville,
ReplyDeleteStraws aren't the norm at high end restaurants, but hopefully, the server will not give you a look, but will produce one happily. Many people like straws because of dental sensitivity. So, the best restaurants have a few handy, just in case.
we keep them at our house for the very same reason.
ReplyDeleteThen again, we keep feminine products in the powder room; just in case.
ReplyDelete