• @sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      123 days ago

      This is true for cold liquids. Coasters are also good for hot liquids in a cup. These can also damage a surface.

      Theoretically if you had a room temperature drink in a cup you would not need a coaster.

  • 🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮
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    4 days ago

    They’re to prevent condensation from pooling on the table itself. This can warp or otherwise mess up a wooden surface. On other materials it can just leave ugly rings that you have to clean off.

  • snooggums
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    754 days ago

    In addition to the condensation, I have also used coasters for under hot drinks like coffee as they can discolor or even deform some surfaces.

    If all you drink is room temp liquids you don’t need coasters.

  • @ClanOfTheOcho@lemmy.world
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    224 days ago

    It depends on the humidity of where you’re at. On a warm day in Houston, for example, it’s not at all uncommon for water to condense on the outside glass of a cold drink, run down, and eventually damage the wooden table it’s sitting on. A coaster will help prevent that damage.

  • @katkit@lemmy.world
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    114 days ago

    Additionally to what else was said, I’ve seen them used in beergardens to cover the drink to prevent bugs from drowning themselves in your drink. I guess then the coasters don’t serve to protect the table anymore.

    • That’s the possibly apocryphal origin story of Spanish tapas, too: a slice of bread to cover the wine glass between sips (hence the name “tapa,” which means a “cover”), then a few things to dress up that slice of bread, maybe a piece of meat or cheese. So traditionally a single tapa is served for each glass of wine you order.

      • @katkit@lemmy.world
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        34 days ago

        I didn’t even think about the German word, which is Bierdeckel - literally beer cover. Well the boring word for it would be Untersetzer, which is the substantive of “to place underneath”.

  • @sanderium@lemmy.zip
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    94 days ago

    Every mother always insists in using coasters and makes sure to explain to you a millions times why is that and will burn the house down if they find a cup mark.

    • @owenfromcanada@lemmy.ca
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      94 days ago

      “Listen honey, mommy raised you pretty much on her own because the patriarchy normalized men not contributing to the nurture of their family, and now mommy is one ring stain away from a total mental breakdown complete with arson, okay?”

  • @Lucky_777@lemmy.world
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    84 days ago

    Ever have your coaster stick to your glass or cup. Follow this trick! Shake some salt on the coaster. It will never stick!

  • @saywhatisabigw@lemmy.world
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    24 days ago

    Try thirsty stone coasters. I found a really large thirsty stone trivet which I use. Combine with tervis tumbler for the ultimate drinking setup. Lol. For spilling; try a straw. Or try a baby sippy cup?