Okay, I hear you whispering: “But what if I want to eat them today?” Fair point. If you’re having a strawberry feast within 24 hours, the counter is fine. Room temperature berries are actually sweeter and more flavorful.
But the moment tomorrow morning rolls around? Fridge time. Unless you want to wake up to a berry that looks like it’s been through a marathon in the rain.
So rule of thumb: Fridge for longevity, counter for immediate indulgence. You do you, but be smart about it.