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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:
miIIicant · 22/02/2025 12:18

hattie43 · 22/02/2025 12:04

A visible police service.

Oh yes. In Spain you see a police officer or police car every day. Sometimes several times a day. France the same. I do get jealous.

RosesAndHellebores · 22/02/2025 12:20

Good motorway services
A decent healthcare system

Loveduppenguin · 22/02/2025 12:23

Drive thru pharmacy 🙌

SunsetCocktails · 22/02/2025 12:24

Oh yes. In Spain you see a police officer or police car every day. Sometimes several times a day. France the same. I do get jealous.

I see police cars every day, sometimes several times a day, usually racing past with their lights flashing. Perhaps that's not such a good sign though.....

MumChp · 22/02/2025 12:27

Affordable childcare

ColourlessGreenIdeasSleepFuriously · 22/02/2025 12:27

Germany - you can take excess packaging off your shopping and leave it at the till for recycling. Puts the onus on the producers rather than the consumer. Great idea.

Cocolapew · 22/02/2025 12:28

Sunshine

m00rfarm · 22/02/2025 12:29

LemonPorkLasagna · 22/02/2025 12:07

I can't remember which country I've seen them in, might have been Spain or Portugal but fruit trees lining the roads.

You get hungry on your commute to work? Just pluck an orange from a tree, or an apple or a pear.

THe "public" oranges in Portugal tend to be the marmalade type oranges - not suitable for consumption. The private oranges belonging to an orchard are much nicer :)

Loveduppenguin · 22/02/2025 12:29

ColourlessGreenIdeasSleepFuriously · 22/02/2025 12:27

Germany - you can take excess packaging off your shopping and leave it at the till for recycling. Puts the onus on the producers rather than the consumer. Great idea.

You can do that in Lidl and Aldi here in Ireland too! 🙌

TheWayTheLightFalls · 22/02/2025 12:29

On a serious note, reliable and cheap public transport. I'm in London and fine it subpar, I imagine I'd have steam coming out of my ears if I lived rurally.

More frivolous - in Holland every cafe and restaurant outside the big cities has a decent soft play/playground area for kids. It makes eating out or finding something to do in poor weather so much easier.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 22/02/2025 12:29

(OK, maybe not every - but it feels like it!)

Ddakji · 22/02/2025 12:30

People who know how to behave in public. I’m looking at all the selfish inconsiderate twats yelling to grandma on a video call with no headphones.

Please can we be more like Japan.

Spaghettihair · 22/02/2025 12:38

I like in Spain how a lot of the small bars open in the morning with pastries and coffees, then re open in the evening for drinks. Also (a bit specific) the Marco Polo chain of choc ice shops- you choose your ice cream block then they add a filling of your choice, dip it in your preferred chocolate and then you can choose all the sprinkles too

letslaughitoff · 22/02/2025 12:41

People that can have a laugh and joke banter without everyone getting offended or finding offense in every thing.
Oh wait thats everywhere.
People are just not fun anymore.

MrsMariaReynolds · 22/02/2025 12:41

miIIicant · 22/02/2025 12:18

Oh yes. In Spain you see a police officer or police car every day. Sometimes several times a day. France the same. I do get jealous.

Show quote history

Just returned from a week's holiday in Spain and saw police cars circling round area streets in busy neighbourhoods at every hour of the day and night. Definitely felt much safer.

Trains are comfortable, efficient and inexpensive compared to the UK Comparing my train journeys within Spain vs the ride to the airport (in shite rolling stock, standing room only), it was difference of night and day.

meltingmyhead · 22/02/2025 12:41

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.

I have them near me (Oxfordshire) but they have been broken for years! Good while they worked

Spaghettihair · 22/02/2025 12:42

Spaghettihair · 22/02/2025 12:38

I like in Spain how a lot of the small bars open in the morning with pastries and coffees, then re open in the evening for drinks. Also (a bit specific) the Marco Polo chain of choc ice shops- you choose your ice cream block then they add a filling of your choice, dip it in your preferred chocolate and then you can choose all the sprinkles too

Loco Polo! Google them, they’re amazing

lavenderlou · 22/02/2025 12:43

Agree with subsidised childcare. Also, fewer potholes.

TickingAlongNicely · 22/02/2025 12:46

In Germany there are defined laws for when you can make noise, including DIY.

A lit easier than moans about neighbours using a drill at 7pm or children playing at 8am.
Sunday was a completely quiet day. That might be a bit much (officially included hoovering and drying washing!)

Microbantime · 22/02/2025 12:46

Affordable public transport, particularly trains and easy to book. Not all this 12 weeks in advance shite that we have to put up with.

Visible police on the streets.

decent weather in the Summer. 2-3 months would be perfect.

Target 😁

OrangeCushioning · 22/02/2025 12:47

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.

We already have this- a motorbike courier.

shockeditellyou · 22/02/2025 12:49

Functional public transport

cheseandme · 22/02/2025 12:50

Clean streets ,Vancouver was absolutely spotless !

dairydebris · 22/02/2025 12:51

Really really good trash collection. Twice a week. I think of it often.

BitOutOfPractice · 22/02/2025 12:53

Holland: snack bars and proper fried snacks in bars (mmmm fried snacks)
Finland: public saunas
Lithuania: little chilled curd bars (can’t remember what they are called by my god they are fantastic)
Belgium: every beer has its correct glass. I like a country that takes beer seriously
Italy: actual people collecting tickets.
Luxembourg: free public transport

I could go on. I have gone on.