Thread: Do Russians think asking for ice in a drink is silly/rude?

Hey everyone, I'm moving from the US to Russia in a month to go to school there, and have prepared myself for a very different place. Most things are not so important for me, but recently I read in a guidebook that putting ice in one's drink isn't very popular in Russia. The book said that although children are given ice in their drinks to spoil them, if you ask someone for ice in a drink they will think you are the type who needs special treatment. I absolutely love ice in my drinks, but would be willing to give it up if need be. My question is: "If I ask a Russian for ice in my drink, will it seem like I'm high maintenance?"

Thank you to anyone who replies!

-David

This is certainly the last point you should worry about. In summer time I always ask a waitress NOT to put ice in my drink (I don't like ice). So, there is no any problem to ask for ice. If they have ice they will give it to you. Good luck.

I think, Russians understand that ice is of great importance for foreigners, so they won't think this is silly, but not everybody has ice at home, so you should be prepared, that you may not be given it.

In bars that serve traditional western cocktails, they almost always come with lots of ice.

When you are at a party at someone's home, it's a totally different story. Mixed drinks are rarely served. People who like vodka normally drink it straight. Some people like to follow up a shot of vodka with a chaser, some don't. Vodka is usually served cold, sometimes ice-cold, but almost never on the rocks. The majority of people who want something milder than 80-proof alcohol drink wine or beer or some kind of liqueur. Of course, there are those (especially among younger people) who like to make cocktails at home - those people will make them with ice, if the recipe calls for ice. But these people are a minority.

Asking for ice at someone's home most likely won't get you in trouble - you will just be told that they don't have any on hand. If the person is nice, they can try and make some in their freezer, but I'd suggest that "When in Rome, do as the Romans do"

Where will you be, and for how long? Summertime will soon be over, so you won't be having to worry about this too much.

Thanks everyone! I'll probably just plan on waiting until I'm offered any before asking... "When in Russia, do as the Russians do"

chaika - I'll be in Krasnodar for 10 months, so although I still get some warm days, I don't have to be there for July and August.

"When in Russia, do as the Russians do" - I guess you won't like to do all that russians do
Ice in one's drink is realy not popular in Russia as in States. We don't use it in tea (we have bottled icetea without ice, chilled in refrigerator) and so on. But it doesn't mean that if you ask someone for ice in a drink they will think you are the type who needs special treatment they just would be surprised with your need, cause it might happen that they don't have ice in refregerator ...But it won't happen in bars, where you can have all that you want ...with ice

If you are in a cafe or restaurant then it is OK to ask for ice because they always have it. But if you are in someone's home then you will probably put your host into an awkward situation because Russains usually do not have ice. So, the phrase «please give me tea with ice» is impolite and really sounds like you require special treatment. The better way is to ask whether they have ice, and then (if they have) ask to bring it to you.

Thank you SAn. This is kind of what I figured, I'll just plan on not asking unless they offer it. I mean, I'm going to have more to adjust to than just the ice, so I'd better just sit back and enjoy the ride

Originally Posted by kidlucrative

...I'll just plan on not asking unless they offer it.

Well, you'll probably wait for a long time. Most hosts (if you are a guest at someone's home) almost definitely WON't offer you any ice, because Russians are not very used to iced drinks, and offering you ice might never come to their mind.
But it's absolutely ok to ask for it in a way San suggested, i.e. to ask if they have any ice at home, and then to ask for it if they do. They'll be glad to oblige. If you ask for ice straight away, it's not offensive either, but you can put your hosts in an uncomfortable situation, if they don't have any at hand and don't have any means to make it.

Thanks gRomoZeka, that's pretty much what I'm expecting... I just hope that my dorm has an ice machine