re: Why does anyone store butter in the fridge?

We keep a stick of butter on counter in covered dish. I initially thought this was disgusting but my wife insisted it was ok and way they did it when she grew up. Never had a problem with spoilage and now I'm disappointed when I find an empty butter dish and have to use hard butter like a cretan. I've had a Seranno ham on counter at room temp for a week eating slices off daily what yall think of that?