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.

Yes, I have family in Stockholm and they certainly pay a lot more tax than they did in the UK, and feel that it's not really worth it, but I suppose individuals have different experiences.

Street trees everywhere, like France, Spain Italy. Every village with a park, well kept garden, market/entertainment space. Pride in where you live I suppose? Free/cheap parking so people can use town shops and businesses and public transport would be nice.

Ooof. The “k” word. Some white South Africans are NEVER beating those racist asshole charges.

@KateDelRick I think in particular if you are maybe older, own your place, not yet pensionable age, drive, have no kids of nursery age, you might feel you aren't exactly benefitting in full from very high tax - but that's the difference, Scandinavians place a huge emphasis on a functioning society as a whole , rather than what's in your pocket as an individual -- it would be a hard one to sell here I admit- it's a particular mindset- I liked it

@JingsMahBucket first time I heard my friends South African father use that expression I was a bit gobsmacked-especially given that he was an alcoholic and a bit of a conman , but with a superior attitude a mile wide.

Iceland; the complete absence of litter.

This would cost the country about 3 times as much as we currently pay for the service we have

Sockets in the bathroom are standard in Finland and I've never heard of any bathroom electrocutions. We use hairdryers etc. in the bathroom, its not an issue because the vast majority of people are not stupid enough to stick them in water.

But I did get tiny electric shocks from my shower when I first moved to this house (like when you stick a 9 volt battery on your tongue). The previous owners had done a bodge job of the electrics instead of getting professionals in (which is illegal here but nevermind) but there aren't even any sockets in the shower room. Dunno what caused it but it stopped happened after my bloke (an electrician) rewired the basement.

Nice, smooth and well maintained roads. France and Belgium come to mind and also Sweden.
When we drive off the Eurotunnel train and onto the M20 I can’t help but wonder what overseas visitors must think. Our roads are a national embarrassment and also dangerous for me as a cyclist.

They are definitely in the UK. I know a couple of places that have these.

In Czechia, you can choose what combination of banknotes you want from a cash point. So bloody useful.

A affordable private health system where you can see Dr or have all tests for literally for peanuts.
Extensive blood test- £5, they will test for anything you want and results are ASAP.
Mammogram £30 instantly results
Chest Xray £5 results instantly
Whole abdo scan £35- again all instantly results
CT SCAN £100 max.
And if you in their local ( NHS like) system, it's all free And instantly results.
And you can change to go to any Dr or hospital you want..
EU country.

I've had this somewhere too (never been to Czechia) but can't for the life of me think where.

Oh it’s most definitely worth it! When you suddenly need things, you realise how well everything is working. And many thing we just take for granted, as we are used to them.

@Crikeyalmighty my elderly parents have paid a lot of tax. They still think it’s worth it, and are so greatful. My dad is terminally ill and my mum very suddenly also became ill. They each have a doctor and a nurse coming to their house once a week. They get their house cleaned etc and have everything they need to stay in their lovely big house which is all they want.

My mum was in a respirator and then intensive care for weeks. It cost nothing. The care after which she will need for the rest of her life cost nothing. Her medicines cost basically nothing.

A really good, cheap, easy to use bus service like you see in other European countries

I'm sorry to hear they're both so ill, I'm glad they're being cared for.

Thank you. It’s awful. I try to be greaful for everything I can.

💐

They have these in some carparks. Westfield Shopping has them. They are really good

I saw right to bear arms mentioned earlier. We struggle to keep knives off the street. Allowing people to have guns would send us off on a death spiral. Just the parking threads on here would result in gunplay and a thread along the lines of I put 2 in his head, AIBU?

Single ensuite hospital rooms and relatives allowed to stay 24/7 to do basic care and help.

@MyrtlethePurpleTurtle

It’s more official in Germany that Sunday is a Ruhetag. The shops used to shut at midday Saturday & noisy DIY & things like mowing the lawn are frowned upon on a Sunday. I don't know if shops still shut all Sunday but I think having Sunday as a quiet day is quite nice. You wouldn't get disturbed for example by a noisy BBQ or someone strimming a hedge.

Honestly I’d come to Ireland for this- we are planning a detour to San Sebastián next time we get the ferry to France as the kids are furious I went to the Seville one on my own with work!

Living in apartments in town and city centres. Because more people (of varied income) live in the centre of towns/cities in Europe, they have facilities such as play parks, recycling and shops and they also inhabit spaces such as squares and parks. It makes for a much more civilised environment. Compare with hollowed out UK city centres - where most of the flats are owned by rich people or are investment properties...

At night? In the day on the few days it gets hot? When it's really cold outside?