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

[chocolateychurros]

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.

Sainsbury's let you slice your own bread? Or do you mean that the bakery staff do it? It's the DIY part that's different.

MN in general is also very pro car - non-drivers are demonised.

Where ? never seen them

Clean, cheap, reliable public transport.

Most of the world has official ID cards I think. Not just the US. In Europe, UK, Ireland and some Scandinavian countries I think are the ones that don't have them.
I used to be against compulsory ID, but I think times have changed and the UK needs them now. People have to jump through silly hoops to prove who they are.

Tomatoes are less good in northern Europe in general, compared to the south. I suppose it's to do with growing in the sun v greenhouses.

Eh? We DO have indoor food markets. I walk past one on my way home from work every day.

Cleanliness and collective pride/spirit to keep ones environment looking its best, irrespective of ownership.
E.g nicely kept front gardens, balconies displaying geraniums e.g iso of dumped rubbish.
Locally we have a beautiful lawned riverside park. On weekend summer days large families turn up for picnics.
They leave.
The sea of left behind rubbish by evening time will break your heart.
Despite several bins at park entrance.

Police presence, rarely see police about.

Proper, safe cycle paths and being able to confidently leave your bike/ebike parked AND still there when you return.

Small speciality or department shops where you can buy good quality household items like china/glass/linen, clothing, handmade food e.g patisseries, non franchised bakeries.
Another thing that always puzzled me is the run down state of many of our seaside resorts/towns with some exceptions in e.g Cornwall.
On the continent most seaside places I've seen seem very affluent, spa resorts still go strong, are well kept, people still dress up !! to go for walks/promenade/apéritif.

Continental
pharmacies. Walking in being greeted by a person in a starched white coat makes me feel better instantly 😆.

Fruit and vegetables that actually smell
and therefore have taste e.g tomatoes, peaches, melons.

Missing from the USA
Target 🎯 stores , or as they affectionately call it : Tar jay
Crate and Barrel stores.
Bigger sized parking spaces where you can actually open your car door more than 3in.
Decent salsa for sale supermarkets .
Slip/loose covered chairs and squishy sofas for sale
Nice garden furniture ( not dark grey with dark grey cushions )

Yes, it's not like there are millions of people dying every year from being electrocuted in bathrooms with sockets.

I suppose she thinks they're not 'amazing', which is totally subjective isn't it?

There's a lot of cognitive dissonance in the UK but this is a big one. Everyone wants measures to capture illegal immigrants, clamp down on benefit fraud, and so on, but nobody wants the inconvenience of the one obvious solution - a national ID card system.

As for jumping through hoops: my bank did not accept an EU-issued ID card as proof of my identity, but were happy to accept a water bill. That's madness.

"Another thing that always puzzled me is the run down state of many of our seaside resorts/towns with some exceptions in e.g Cornwall."

They stopped being the places to go once people could afford to go abroad. Then became empty and poor, then developed social problems...
It does depend though. Rhyl is in a bad state, but Llandudno and Aberystwyth are fine. Blackpool I suppose is very poor.

Clean abundant public toilets

But tbh even if we had abundant ones they're usually rank - so would need a culture change tbh

In France as well.

My bank didn't want to accept me at all as I was a lodger so had no utility bill in my name and wasn't going to get one!

There was something during Covid where people were being made to photograph themselves outside their home holding a copy of that day's newspaper to prove who they were and the date...

I find the UK much BETTER than other countries I've been to for this. Also access to free tap water, which is not a given everywhere in Europe.

Basics such as public transport, water and utilities under public ownership, run competently and primarily for the benefit of the UK public. Not for shareholders.

A family evening culture (street markets and restaurants where it is normal to browse and then eat with kids at 8-9pm at weekends). I dislike that in the UK, we all bunker down so early.

dunno what part of Ireland that was or maybe it was just for inhalers but not where I live. on long term medication has to be the chemist where my prescription is. Need to give them 48 hours notice to collect. when on my last month will be marked as last prescription need a new one. then have to ring doctors to give them 48 hours notice aswell to get a new prescription. pay 20e for it. then they email (only a new thing) to the chemist. then give them another 48 hours notice to get it ready and then pay 60e for it. Once every so often doctors will say they want to see me then I need to book an appointment pay 60e to get my repeat prescription it's great crack

Bidets. We can have them here but they are not the norm.

There are motorbike despatch riders in the UK.

Free but safe underground car parks in residential streets and banning parking on the road. Switzerland

Litter and dog poo free streets.

Ah this was ten years ago so maybe time/covid/pressure on health service changed things.

It was South Dublin.

That I would not like. The only time I ever see police officers walking the street is when there has been trouble of some kind, not often but happens. For example, where I used to live until quite recently, the dental surgery down the road was broken into a few years back and when I went out I saw police there. Further down the road in the opposite direction a car was driven into a pub; I didn't see it, not on my doorstep but I read about it in the local paper. I presume it was a drunk driver so obviously the police turned up quickly, a lot of damage was caused but nobody hurt. When I was a child I almost never saw a policeman.

I get that it could be great. but I my company I am dealing with a women who has come back after 9 years maternity leave. she had three kids in succession. took all her maternity leave plus holidays etc. the girl who covered her was moved to a different role. the company has changed dramatically in those 9 years aswell as system changes. its really hard to deal with as she trying to catch up with every thing. it's like dealing with a new starter again but at a different level. really really hard. yes she is entitled and yes uts great to have it but on the other side rest of the team are taking in more.