Drinking straws - at which point they became "a thing"?

[FishCanFly]

I do remember them from childhood, they were there but only for festivities, something like birthday cake candles.
But now it seems people can't do without anywhere they go. With the environmental push, we now have paper or metal instead of plastic. Why not just drink from a glass?

Are they a thing?

I only get offered them in places like McDonalds, and don't use them. They are good if people are drink sharing though.

Because if it's cold my teeth are sensitive
I don't want full sugar pop/fruit juice around my teeth
I don't want to stain my teeth (cold coffee/black currant)

Dentists approve of them as a way to lessen the damage from acidic drinks.

Didn't know they were a thing.

I'm aware that some want an outright ban on them but those who work in medical areas or are/or a family member of people who are unable to swallow/often palliative care - see straws as vital in getting vital liquids into people.

Yep, a whole new multimillion pound business has built up around metal straws, and a brush, and a silicone mouthpiece, and a pouch, and a belt clip for the pouch. All for something that gets shoved in a drawer because Most can drink from a glass ... keeps the economy going though. And those international trade deals... not hugely great for the environment...

I would imagine it became a thing as food outlets opted for cheaper and flimsier drinks holders. Have you ever tried drinking from a McDonalds soft drinks cup? You'll notice that without the plastic top you can hardly call them robust.

Pubs and clubs have always served straws with certain drinks although (and this may be me getting old and noticing things that arent there) some of these drinks appear to have become more popular like alcopops and novelty cocktails.

Because in most restaurants and pubs glasses are usually grim with old lipstick round the rim. 🤮
Also when they put loads of ice in the drink, thay are near impossible to drink straight from the glass

I remember having glass bottles of Coke in the pub garden with a straw in as a child.

I use them now because I don't like a face full of ice.

They got more popular after the rise in tooth whitening, as you can use a straw to bypass - so lessening the impact on - your newly-bleached teeth.

People drank less sugary/citric acid things years ago and if a sugary/citric acid drink was available it was a treat and drunk infrequently.

I love straws as they protect my teeth.

Hasn't the tooth protection properties of straws and drinks being debunked?

That’s a good point OP. I suspect though it’s just that people used to drink outside the house far less?

I totally agree Fish.

I keep hearing the keeps teeth unstained thing, but I guess if people actually let their teeth be tooth coloured rather than unnaturally dazzling white then there wouldn't be the need.

I got given a straw made of straw last week on holiday. I assume that was what they were originally made of? If so, perhaps they’ve been around longer than I realised.

I don’t like drinking sweet things from a glass. It’s like bathing my teeth in sugar.