A reader writes:
On this extremely vital question, I have the insight of growing up with a German mother. All of her family, who still live in Germany, confirm the German take on the ice issue.
1. Cool drinks, not cold, give the drinker a better experience of the actual taste of the drink. It drives them a little crazy that Americans think they drink "warm" beer. And in fact, they don't. Beer is cool (or warm by our standards) in Germany because it tastes better than beer so cold, and so pale and thin, it has little flavor. "How else could anyone possibly drink a Coors so cold that you don't have to taste that watery swill?", they ask me.
2. They firmly believe that cold, cold drinks are bad for your stomach, and therefore, your digestion. I've been frequently told there are studies that prove this, though no web links have ever been provided.
After a childhood of drinking water from the tap, no ice and occasional sodas cooled only by being stored in the basement, I'm the rare American who orders her water with no ice at restaurants. I'd do the same for a soda, if I still drank it. And I'm most definitely a beer snob. A Coors would never pass these lips and I know that somewhere in southern Bavaria, my Onkel Helmut is smiling and nodding his approval.
Other readers are supporting the stomach cramps theory. Another offers more ideas:
Because refrigeration came late to Europe, way after WWII. And because tap water was always suspect depending on the region. Bottled water was de rigueur on the Continent. Not so much for the Brits, who always suspected the barkeep of watering down the liquor (what other country has regulations on a the size of a pint)? And really, who wants to have an ice machine when the water is from the merde-filled Seine?
Another:
It occurs to me that the expansion of many parts of America was contingent on air conditioning and refrigeration. (I say this as someone who lived in Florida, which while inhabited for some time saw its population expand considerably when it got AC and people could stand living there.) It seems to me like we embraced AC and refrigeration (and consequently, ice) and advertised it heavily as a selling point (say, to get people into movie theatres or soda fountain shops). On the other hand, ice had to make its way into well-established Europe, which wasn't desperate for a cold drink in any case.
Another makes that point more directly:
Most of Europe is a lot cooler than most of the US. There is less need to cool your drink because people are not as hot, nor will the hot weather heat up your drink as fast.
A European writes:
Too much ice in a drink makes it watery and weak, and too cold. I rather not feel pain in my teeth when I drink a coke, or even a glass of water, and I like being able to taste my drink, rather than have it numb my mouth. I'd ask a counter question: why are Americans so in love with ice?
One very-American reason: it helps you burn calories.
The Dish 