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If you’re an American, and don’t do any international travel, this may come as a shock, but: A lot of stuff is similar in other countries, but there are plenty of things that are DIFFERENT . . . for better or for worse.
There’s a forum online where people from around the world are sharing the “non-American” things that they HIGHLY RECOMMEND to Americans.
Here are a few of the better ones:
1. Month-long vacations. Or “holidays,” as they’re called. America is work-obsessed, and is one of the countries that offer the LEAST paid vacation days.
2. Taxes included in the price tag. Not to mention service fees, and tips.
3. High-speed trains. Or trains in general for public transit, not for freight.
4. Towel-warmers in the bathroom.
5. Heated floors instead of vented heat.
6. Bidets. This seems to be the most common response . . . although bidets have been gaining traction in the U.S. in recent years.
7. Quality of life improvements. Like universal health care . . . maternity and childcare-leave . . . and affordable college.
8. Desserts that aren’t insanely sweet.
9. Butter on sandwiches.
10. Poutine. “Still can’t believe it hasn’t found a foothold here . . . fries, gravy, cheese curds, it seems like it would be right up a Midwesterner’s alley.”
11. The humble Dutch invention, the flessenschraper or flessenlikker. “They’re meant for getting every last bit of sauce or whatever condiment out of bottles, jars, and stuff.” (Here’s a video.)
12. Chicken salt. “It’s uniquely Australian and everyone should try it.”
13. Split duvets. “No more blanket-stealing, and you can regulate your temperatures however you want.”
14. Fresh-squeezed juice machines in grocery stores.
