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Original poster

What's one thing you've seen in other countries that you wish we had here?

523 replies

chocolateychurros · 22/02/2025 11:59

In my home country, we have riders on motorbikes whose job it is to transport things from one place to another.
For example, if you left your charger at your mums, you could just request one of those and they would bring it straight to you.
Mind you in that country taxis are a lot cheaper than they are over here, so even if we had something like this here it would probably be too expensive and not worth it.

OP posts:
DalzielOrNoDalzielAndDontPascoe · 22/02/2025 15:02

Roadworks where a sensible portion of the road is closed off (not 100 miles in one go) and then lots of workers are brought in to get on and actually do the work in a reasonable timescale - ideally on double-time in evenings and at weekends.

Why do we have so many fenced-off roads where nothing changes and there's nobody ever working there for weeks or months on end?

Mynewnameis · 22/02/2025 15:05

The first thing that came to my mind was little beach bars. Huts on the beach in Spain with reasonably priced drinks and sun loungers. Sat on the beach at 9pm with kids playing and eating ice cream and me having a wine. I have just been researching holidays..

PTSDBarbiegirl · 22/02/2025 15:06

Adamante · 22/02/2025 12:06

The ability to go for a run, or walk around safely at 3 am like I can when I go to the UAE.

Unless you're gay and holding your partners hand.

MrsMoastyToasty · 22/02/2025 15:06

Carports in supermarket car parks like they have in Spain.

aspidernamedfluffy · 22/02/2025 15:08

SharpWriter · 22/02/2025 12:06

In Belgium they have those little green lights that show you where there are spaces in a multi storey car park (and red lights when the spaces are taken). Saves you driving round and round looking for a space. Maybe they have them in the UK but I've never seen them.

We have that already in the UK...well in Bath anyway.

TheWombatleague · 22/02/2025 15:09

Properly funded public services, prisons that actually rehabilitate, greater wealth equality, Sri Lanka's retirement age, the French Revolution and greater biodiversity.

Christwosheds · 22/02/2025 15:09

madnessitellyou · 22/02/2025 12:17

A central vacuum system. My uncle has one. Plug the hose into the point in the wall and off you go. All the crap collected in a massive cylinder in the basement.

On that, proper storage in houses.

Better weather. Not just endless shades of drizzly grey no matter the month.

No reverse snobbery.

Public transport that is a viable, affordable alternative to the car. I think it might exist in some parts of the UK but where I am (NW suburb, nothing remotely rural about it) it’s 2 hours to get to work on public transport or 20 minutes in the car. A six mile journey. 4 hours a day or 40 minutes a day.

My Mil has this vacuum system (UK).

BustingBaoBun · 22/02/2025 15:10

waste disposal units American sinks have

I've had one for over 30 years in two different houses! American company InSinkerator. I have friends who have one too. It's actually environmentally friendly

QueSyrahSyrah · 22/02/2025 15:10

IVbumble · 22/02/2025 15:01

People to fill your car with petrol at the garage.

We have this where I live. A small chain of petrol stations, they'll always come out and fill the car and will do tyres / oil / water if requested too.

MrsSkylerWhite · 22/02/2025 15:12

waste disposal units American sinks have

We’re in UK. Have had them for years.

Christwosheds · 22/02/2025 15:13

JC03745 · 22/02/2025 12:54

@madnessitellyou A central vacuum system
They are available in the UK also, MIL has one! They never maintained it and it stopped after about 5yrs when it became impacted with dog hair.
My mum who lives abroad had one installed 40yrs ago which is still going strong.

Fly screens. We recently renovated in the UK, and the window companies looked at me sideways when I asked about them!

Edited

I would love fly screens.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 22/02/2025 15:13

chocolateychurros · 22/02/2025 11:59

In my home country, we have riders on motorbikes whose job it is to transport things from one place to another.
For example, if you left your charger at your mums, you could just request one of those and they would bring it straight to you.
Mind you in that country taxis are a lot cheaper than they are over here, so even if we had something like this here it would probably be too expensive and not worth it.

Well we do have that in uk too

Echobelly · 22/02/2025 15:13

KateDelRick · 22/02/2025 14:20

What are their taxes like?

Show quote history

Honestly, I don't know but I'm willing to bet it was very much less than the difference between our childcare costs. The parents were not high earners.

BustingBaoBun · 22/02/2025 15:15

MrsSkylerWhite · 22/02/2025 15:12

waste disposal units American sinks have

We’re in UK. Have had them for years.

Agree... and I'm in UK too. They are very efficient

WinterFoxes · 22/02/2025 15:16

Clean, affordable trains that run on time.
Respect for school teachers and uni lecturers.
Affordable homes.
Sunshine.

Myengagementring · 22/02/2025 15:17

SharpWriter · 22/02/2025 12:06

In Belgium they have those little green lights that show you where there are spaces in a multi storey car park (and red lights when the spaces are taken). Saves you driving round and round looking for a space. Maybe they have them in the UK but I've never seen them.

They have these in the Broadway car park in Birmingham, I was very impressed when I saw them. Probably a sign I need to get out more 🤣

HolyPeaches · 22/02/2025 15:18

Modern, clean, safe, affordable, reliable trains.

Our trains in the UK (particularly Northern Rail which I use a lot) are nothing short of embarrassing compared to trains I’ve used across Europe and Asia.

niadainud · 22/02/2025 15:18

TheElvesLongSleeves · 22/02/2025 12:11

Bum showers
Veg and fruit per weight as standard rather than pack and same for bakery items as standard

Er, bum showers?

I've heard of snow showers and power showers, but not bum showers.

sunshinestar1986 · 22/02/2025 15:20

Ilovelowry · 22/02/2025 12:05

Used to live in Ireland. The pharmacist held the repeat prescription, so if I needed new inhalers, instead of planning a week in advance of needing my repeat processing, I'd walk into the pharmacist, ask for my inhalers, pay and leave.

A million times easier.

This is literally the norm in Wales?

TheElvesLongSleeves · 22/02/2025 15:23

niadainud · 22/02/2025 15:18

Er, bum showers?

I've heard of snow showers and power showers, but not bum showers.

Show quote history

It's a bidet hose next to the toilet. So cleeeean after

Ilovelowry · 22/02/2025 15:23

sunshinestar1986 · 22/02/2025 15:20

This is literally the norm in Wales?

Show quote history

Lucky Wales!

I thought it was so fantastic that I didn't have to have asthma checks and jump through hoops for my medication.

At my surgery the GP authorises all repeats before the pharmacy then puts you in a queue to be dispensed.

And it's really tricky working out a week in hand on all my inhalers, HRT patches, estriol cream, and excema creams! I end up in the GPs most weeks and have to remember to order everything with a full week in hand.

LookItsMeAgain · 22/02/2025 15:25

SharpWriter · 22/02/2025 12:06

In Belgium they have those little green lights that show you where there are spaces in a multi storey car park (and red lights when the spaces are taken). Saves you driving round and round looking for a space. Maybe they have them in the UK but I've never seen them.

We have them in at least one shopping centre car park - Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin. They work so well!

niadainud · 22/02/2025 15:29

TheElvesLongSleeves · 22/02/2025 15:23

It's a bidet hose next to the toilet. So cleeeean after

Show quote history

But also so wet, surely? What's the etiquette for bum drying after the bum showering? I know most people have a hand towel for guests, but surely not a communal bum towel?

TheElvesLongSleeves · 22/02/2025 15:31

niadainud · 22/02/2025 15:29

But also so wet, surely? What's the etiquette for bum drying after the bum showering? I know most people have a hand towel for guests, but surely not a communal bum towel?

Show quote history

Toilet paper (or tissue depending whether it goes down the toilet or not). Once you get used to it, you get the aim right and don't end up like me at the beginning as if I dipped my whole bottom in water😂🙈

InveterateWineDrinker · 22/02/2025 15:31

niadainud · 22/02/2025 15:29

But also so wet, surely? What's the etiquette for bum drying after the bum showering? I know most people have a hand towel for guests, but surely not a communal bum towel?

Show quote history

If this is an issue I suggest you try the Japanese Toto Washlet toilet. Not only is the bum shower operable from the remote control panel on the wall, the more advanced ones will blow-dry your backside too.

ETA link: https://eu.toto.com/en/washlet

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