Went to light some candles over Thanksgiving. We have one of those long lighters, but it wasn’t working. Fortunately, we had another disposable lighter, but where in years past there would have several books/boxes of matches, we had none. I suspect we had some long matches down by the fireplace, but I don’t think we have any others in the house. Heck, we always used to have a box of wooden kitchen matches as well.
Used to always just have a bunch of books/boxes of matches. Whenever we would run low, we’d just intentionally keep an eye out, and the next time we went to a restaurant/bar, or passed a cigarette machine (remember those?!) we’d pick some up.
Who uses matches anymore, for what, and where do you get them?
I use matches to light up the grill. They can be conveniently held by the fingertips, putting distance between the flame and my skin. Plus they come with a little extra fuel get the fire started.
Mrs. L.A. uses the small wooden matches to light her candles. She buys a ‘brick’ of little matchboxes. She used to use them to light the wood-burning stove insert, but we keep a Zippo next to it now.
Yeah - I assume you can buy them, as you always could. But you used to be able to get free matches all over the place.
I guess I’ll have to start checkin gout the “match aisles” at the grocery/hardware stores! As I remember, when you bought a package of matches, you seemingly got enough to last a lifetime (tho, obviously, not!)
Restaurants used to always have them, with the name, address, and phone # of the restaurant on them.
I expect that they used to be a more effective means of advertising than they are now. I can’t remember when’s the last time I picked up a book of matches at a restaurant. But then I haven’t really been looking.
And buying matches - well, like you say, if you don’t smoke, but just use them to light the grill or light candles, you can’t buy less than a two-decade supply at once.
Wonder if the dollar store sells matches. I’ll have to check, the next time I’m there.
As I remember, when you bought a package of matches, you seemingly got enough to last a lifetime (tho, obviously, not!)