Tuesday, November 07, 2006

The land of the straw

I wonder if there are any statistics on the use of drinking straws in the US... how many straws a day are used? When I was a kid (in Sweden...), getting a straw was something special, something extra (I wonder if that is the case still...??). I remember having those "curled" straw in hard plastic. I had one and my brother had one. And we got to take them out at special occasions.

Now I live in the Land of the Straw, and even though it was a long time ago since I was a kid, I still get a straw with my drink when I order a soft drink (as does everyone else). Is it because of all the ice (a straw sure makes it easier to drink without splashing your face)? Or is it just pure tradition - soft drinks should always be served with a straw?

At least you don't get a straw with your beer.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's definitely the ice! If you don't use a straw all the ice will make your front teeth freeze when you tilt the glas and that will leave you begging for a straw...

Annika said...

The straw...you are right...when we were kids in Sweden a straw was something very special!!! I don't know if it is due to the ice that they serve all the soft drinks with a straw here. I mean, I always order my drinks witout ice and I always end up with a straw. Old habits die hard, maybe? Anyway, strunta i sugröret. Tror inte rikigt på att det skulle bero på isen...

Anonymous said...

Well, the straw thing is fairly recent if they are now using it for every drink. The real reason for the straw is not just the ice, no, it's more hygenic to have a nice clean straw coming out of the paper than use a glass and put your lips on the rim when you may not be 100 percent sure the rim is perfectly clean. Better to use the straw.

JaCal said...

I'm a trusting person - I assume the glasses are clean. Especially in a white cloth restaurant! ;-)

It is practical when most of the glass is ice however...