It has never occurred to me to worry about this.

This is not all restaurants. We have so many people trained to handle food, chemicals, alcohol, maintenance.
Maintenance guys are in and out several times a month.
Everything is labeled with notices to workers everywhere.
Workers have no problem using the ice.
In my three decades of experience, the busier and brighter the restaurant, the cleaner it is. Machines get more wear and tear and are changed out/cleaned more often. Food is also fresher as we run out of it every day or few days and have to order more.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. If the ice bothers your DH, he really does not want to know what is going on in the kitchen.

This is my feeling.

Yes. If the ice bothers your DH, he really does not want to know what is going on in the kitchen.

How often do you fully clean your refrigerator ice maker?

No, it’s disgusting. Pink mold. They don’t clean those things.

If I remember, I ask for no ice. I was much more religious about "no ice" requests during and shortly following my time living in countries where it's generally not safe to drink the water.

I'm confused about your husband's objection, though. As soon as the ice is in the drink, it's melting. Does he expect you to chug your iced coffee?

Anonymous wrote:I don't see how it's any worse to let it melt if it's already in your drink.

I recently met a woman who said she doesn't ever get ice at restaurants, hotels, etc. because her husband works for a company that services ice machines and they're generally not cleaned regularly and she's heard some horrible stories.

They probably aren’t cleaned any less than whatever hose or soft drink machine restaurants and hotels are using to filling your water

I always ask for no ice in my drinks.

That’s just an entry way of why he’s annoyed with you OP

What?

No.

I don't see how it's any worse to let it melt if it's already in your drink.

I recently met a woman who said she doesn't ever get ice at restaurants, hotels, etc. because her husband works for a company that services ice machines and they're generally not cleaned regularly and she's heard some horrible stories.

Depends on the cleanliness of the place. There have been some, but not many, reported cases of filthy ice.

After 22 years of marriage, DH has informed me that's he's always been grossed out by the way I let rhe ice in my Starbucks melt. I know restaurant ice can be gross, but don't most people do this?