Okay, a friend actually explained why they don't take drinks with ice. Unfortunately, I don't remember-something to do with balancing energies or something? Anyway, I don't think it is weird or tacky when Indians ask for no ice in their drinks at the restaurant I work at, so why should it be any different when you bring in ice? You're not asking for anything special or causing them trouble.
I did find this at allexperts under ice;
Traditionally, drinks in the United States are served with ice; in Europe they are served with or without ice. In India and other parts of the world, it has traditionally been viewed as unhealthy to drink a libation with ice. Many older Indians still refuse to use it.
Deepak Chopra said that once. He said in Pranic/Indian energetic medicine they believe drinks colder than room temperature are a shock to the system. He also said that in the summer or in intense heat to NOT use ice water to cool down the body. That it actually has a reverse effect. It does not cool down the body.
That's hogwash. Because one of the warnings for
hypothermia (freezing to death) is to never eat snow or ice if you are trapped in a snow storm somewhere because:
Eating ice or snow will lower the body temperature. So much for that part of Indian energetic medicine.
How would you feel if someone brought their own BBQ sauce to your BBQ restaurant?
That's an improper analogy because you don't go to an Indian restaurant for the ice. The ice is an aside. Presumably, if you go to a BBQ restaurant, it is FOR the BBQ sauce.
If you are going to make an analogy, make one that is a real equivalent one.
I traveled to Pune India on business in March. The company gave us a list of restrictions for our safety, no ice, no tap water, no fresh vegetables. At the beginning of the meal, they would ask if you wanted bottled water, they would bring a liter size to the table, which we were charged for, even at the free breakfast the hotel offered. If we wanted a soft drink, they would bring it in a can. I can't remember if we were ever offered ice, I don't think so. I do remember on the plane coming home when they asked if I wanted ice with my drink I said yes, I really missed it!
I heard it's like that too in Mexico. You are not only supposed to not drink the water, but not to even get sodas with ice, as the ice is made from their water. Nor, are you supposed to brush your teeth with tap water. You are supposed to use bottled water for everything. If ou order a bottle of water, make sure the waiter brings it to the table and you see/hear him crack open the seal at your table. You do not want to have a bottle they possibly filled up at the tap.
PD, as for your question, I'd toss a couple liter bottles of water in the freezer overnight (leave space as ice expands) and simply bring the bottles in in a bag with me. Make sure you set them out for a while so that they are only partially frozen - or you will have no water, just all ice. Ask for
empty cups only and fill up the cups with your own icy cold water.
in some parts of the country, and bringing your own sauce to a restaurant could cause a riot.
