# How drinking glasses accumulate **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 21, 2025, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623 "2025-05-21T12:35:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/21 "2025-05-21T16:29:29Z")
Since I don’t have a dishwasher I mostly use plastic red cups as drinking glasses. The drinking glasses I do have are only a handful and they are in different shapes and sizes. I rarely use them. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/22 "2025-05-21T16:29:59Z")
ETA: @StarvingButStrong 2 posts up. Makes sense. I don’t have a tremor but I do have a relentless sense of hurry-up while doing chores. Ex-wife was horrified that I’d get everything from a complicated dinner for two into the dishwasher (or hand-washed) in a handful of minutes with lots of clanking of glass & pottery & metal against whatever. If instead she did it, the same job would take 4x as long, but nothing would ever bump anything. The only sound was running water. My breakage rate exceeded hers. But my life had significantly less time wasted fiddling with stuff that’s functionally disposable. I’ve saved years, _years_ I tell you, of drudgery this way. 😉 I’ve certainly had sets of glasses where most of them died and somehow that one last one or two refused to be killed. Of course if they got shoved to the back and never used, they’ll live indefinitely. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/23 "2025-05-21T16:34:44Z")
In our house, it’s cups of various sizes. We use the tall, thin ones like glasses. There are a couple of matching pairs, so they must have been bought at some point. Oh, and the plastic Starbucks glasses with lids. It’s a good thing that those things stack. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/24 "2025-05-21T17:26:45Z")
In the kitchen, it’s a mish mash, but since I prefer a heavy pint funnel shaped glass, mostly they’re those. In the bar, however, we have a nice collection of matching pint glasses, belgian-style beer glasses, whiskey glasses, martini glasses, etc. all displayed on the shelves behind the bar. I think it looks great, it’s just too bad that we don’t have enough friends to make use of the bar. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/25 "2025-05-21T17:45:05Z")
The glassware I’m absolutely ruthless with are coffee mugs. 38 years a teacher - if I kept every mug I’ve been given by parents/students/whatever the wouldn’t be room in the house for cats. So those get dumped immediately upon receipt. I think I’ve kept 5, all double-sized and heavy. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/26 "2025-05-21T20:18:50Z")
I’ve got: - 4 brown glasses that were hand-me-downs from my parents. They probably date from the 1970s. They were part of a larger set, but Mom and Dad kept the rest for themselves. - 4 “nice” plastic cups I bought at Target. You’d think they were glass until you actually pick them up. - Several other miscellaneous plastic cups that were either freebees or came with a drink I bought at a concession stand somewhere. - 2 old fashion glasses. One has my alma mater’s logo on it; I got it at a banquet they held for scholarship recipients when I was in college. The other I got as a gift; it’s got a map of San Francisco on it. - 4 pint glasses. These are only used for beer. One has a picture of Ralph Wiggum on it; it was a gift. Two have my local Public Radio station’s logo on them; they were a thank you gift for donating to them (I usually forgo the thank you gift, but I really wanted those pint glasses). The fourth I bought as a souvenir from the North Coast Brewery gift shop in Fort Bragg, CA; it’s got the logo for their Old 38 Stout on it. - 3 other miscellaneous beer glasses / mugs. One is from the gift shop from the bar used for the exterior shots for _Cheers_ in Boston (which officially changed it’s name to Cheers after striking a deal with NBC). The other two I got from antique stores. One has the Schlitz logo on it, the other has the Heileman’s Old Style logo on it. Also only used for beer. - Other bar-ware: 4 wine glasses, 1 martini glass, 1 brandy snifter. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/27 "2025-05-21T21:42:12Z")
My wife is an anti-hoarder. She tosses unmatched glasses like cornhole bags. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/28 "2025-05-21T23:09:31Z")
Ten years ago I bought four of [these](https://www.replacements.com/crystal-ikea-vaken/c/456045) plastic drinking glasses from Ikea. I love them! But two are missing, and I would like to replace them. The website says they were discontinued a couple years ago, and I can’t find another source for them. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/29 "2025-05-21T23:43:16Z")
10 grandkids, 10+ great-grandkids. Scattered throughout the US. Our home base in Hawaii actually has sippy cups in the cabinet. Along with a smorgasbord of souvenir cups and mugs. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/30 "2025-05-22T10:40:14Z")
We have mostly pint beer glasses. You often get those as some sort of bling. My wife will also by them from funky bars. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/31 "2025-05-22T10:42:39Z")
My previous boss liked his whiskey. He lamented that he can’t have a relaxing glass while his wife cut his hair because the hair would get in his glass. He’s a grandpa, I told him to just use a sippy cup. Sort of a funny image, but hey, why not? ---
**Author:** ![brachyrhynchos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brachyrhynchos/32/376_2.png) [@brachyrhynchos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brachyrhynchos)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/32 "2025-05-22T11:21:02Z")
In the kitchen, there are the typical Ikea glassware (tall and short) at eye level, with christmas tumblers on the higher stretched arm level, On the sideboard in the dining room are my Finnish glassware (glasses and plates). The last glass thing that broke was actually a pot lid that I had placed (not dropped) in the sink. Plink! and the lid was in a hundred pieces. Weird. ([https://www.facebook.com/share/19PCoTcapR/](https://www.facebook.com/share/19PCoTcapR/)) ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/33 "2025-05-22T12:39:51Z")
Mishmash here too, though only a few see regular use. Wine glasses have been winnowed down by breakage to a sturdy few that have survived frequent dishwasher passes. And I have a coco-cola glass that I use for the occasional bottle of Newcastle Brown. The rest just sit there… ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/34 "2025-05-22T12:54:09Z")
I am not well traveled, but occasionally I will find a microbrewery that is “off the beaten path,” and I will usually buy a beer glass from them while I’m there. (For remembrance, mainly, but also to prove I was there.) I think my favorite is a glass I purchased from [Split Rail Brewing Co.](https://splitrailmanitoulin.com/) last year. Found the place while driving around Manitoulin Island. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/35 "2025-05-22T12:55:51Z")
Another beer nerd here. Except for 2 whisky glasses all the others are from beer festivals or branded brewery glasses. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/36 "2025-05-22T13:31:38Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > Do you have a single set of 8 uniformly matching drinking glasses or do your kitchen cabinets resemble the mish mash described above? Yes, and yes. We’ve got one cabinet full of the “everyday” glasses that we use for tea, water, soda, etc… They’re mostly plastic, with a couple of Yeti/Yeti knockoffs in there. We’ve got a set of six large clear plastic glasses, and a set of four (used to be six) smaller child-sized colorful glasses, and a weird assortment of gas station, sandwich shop, baseball game, and other promotional plastic glasses. The coffee mug shelf is totally a hodge-podge- I don’t believe any two coffee cups/mugs are the same. They’re a weird mix of promotional, commemorative for events or locations, and ones we bought from artisans at farmer’s markets and places like that. The other cabinet is mostly where the beer/wine/cocktail glasses go. We’ve got a couple sets of the Schott Zwiesel Tritan stemless crystal wine glasses- one large, one small, along with a couple of random Riedel stemless wine glass survivors along with one large Bodum double walled beer glass, and two smaller double walled glasses (~12 oz each) that we use for white wine. There are also four or so super-old water/highball glasses my wife showed up to the marriage with, along with some ugly-ass colored stemless wine glasses and a random Old Fashioned glass. We’ve also got a motley assortment of pint glasses from random breweries, because our local beer place (Addison Flying Saucer, RIP) used to do brewery nights and give away free glasses. And we’ve got three honest-to-God mugs- one’s a half-liter commemorative Oktoberfest mug from the 2003 event, one’s a strange plastic one, and the other is a D&D themed mug with “+4 CHA -2 DEX -2 WIS” on it, along with a pixel art image of a foamy mug of beer. (that’s _my_ mug). The top shelf is where the fancy stuff is- we’ve got a full set of six or eight Pilsner glasses, a full set of six or eight Riedel Vinum cocktail/martini glasses, and a full set of six or eight Riedel champagne glasses- not the tall thin cylindrical ones, but more like the shape of [these](https://www.riedel.com/en-us/shop/veloce/champagne-wine-glass-633000028) (not those though). ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/37 "2025-05-22T23:15:17Z")
I don’t have a lot of glasses, etc. They are all in a small cabinet. I have two sets of four glasses and a few miscellaneous ones from previous sets. The mugs are almost all winter themed. The tea cups and saucers are vintage in my favorite mid-century modern pattern. [![](https://i.imgur.com/lX2ciPl.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/lX2ciPl.jpg) I only use the glasses for company. My everyday cup is one my niece gave me in the Game of Thrones era. [![](https://i.imgur.com/yw6XfXm.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/yw6XfXm.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/38 "2025-05-23T03:47:22Z")
I love the glasses on your left middle shelf, the purple, green and orange ones. Are they water cups or what else would you use them for? ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/39 "2025-05-23T21:00:50Z")
They are beverage glasses. I found them in a thrift store many years ago. I’ve never seen any others like them. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2025, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623/40 "2025-05-27T14:17:36Z")
I love the glasses right below them with the mid century modern pattern [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drinking-glasses-accumulate/1018623.md?page=3)