I come from Arizona. Naturally, when it gets to be a certain time of year, I start wanting iced coffees or lattes rather than hot. Ever since moving here over two years ago, I have found this to be quite the task. Sometimes I am successful, whereas other times the explanations just start holding up the line and I give up since it is looking like a hopeless request. Some places offer such a thing on a menu, but most places I have been find it completely baffling.
I remember the first time I tried this when moving here, I went to a Starbucks because I figured they MUST not be so freaked out by the idea of an iced coffee, because they are totally into customization and they boast about it. I had ordered an iced chai. The woman was so, so confused and in the end, they ended up doing it, with difficulty and struggle, but she didn't know what to charge me. I told her just charge for the chai... because it IS a chai, it just has some ice added to it. She ended up charging me for a latte (?!?), which was cheaper than what I got anyway... bonus! But why was it all so complicated?! Haw haw!
An example, as follows, as I really, really wanted an iced coffee today because the train was too warm:
Barista: What would you like?
Gena: Can I have an iced soy latte?
Barista: I don't understand.
Gena: It's a soy latte, but poured over ice.
Barista: I don't get it... iced?
Gena: Yes! A soy latte... iced! With ice!
Barista: ...
Gena: Oh, forget it... just get me a soy latte.
Barista: Okay!
I'm sure I will succeed at least five times this upcoming summer... that is my goal! Just five! I don't ask for much... just a little ice...