Page 4 | What's one thing you've seen in other countries that you wish we had here?

Intemperatefatty · 22/02/2025 13:14

DalzielOrNoDalzielAndDontPascoe · 22/02/2025 13:05

Basements as a standard feature of homes. All of that useful storage space just not taken advantage of.

Machines on the walls of shops where you can deposit empty bottles for recycling and get a receipt to be redeemed in the shop. Both green and fun!

I also wish we had one specific aspect of Japanese culture in the UK: the one seen in their Apple shops, where (unlike the rest of the world) they don't bother security-chaining down their display phones/devices as everybody just thinks "Well, it doesn't belong to me, so why on earth would I just take it without buying it?!"

Yes yes to the no stealing culture, the UAE does that too. I used to work in Abu Dhabi and it’s common to leave handbags, phones and wallets on tables unattended. In supermarkets, women leave their trolleys with their expensive Hermes and Channel bags in the aisles whilst they get something from another aisle. Wish we had that culture here.

paristotokyo · 22/02/2025 13:14

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.

My local Sainsbury's car park have this!

Branster · 22/02/2025 13:15

LeaveALittleNote · 22/02/2025 13:09

Dog parks

That was my wish also!
But nice large ones, basically a large enclosed green space within a bigger park. Perfect for both dog owners and non dog owners, especially for children. Keeps the rest of the park clean and safe.

miIIicant · 22/02/2025 13:16

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

Oh yes, fly screens. We get so many house spiders in the house. Used to live in Australia and wonderful fly screens. Never had a spider or mosquito in the house.

EspanaPorfavor · 22/02/2025 13:17

well lit streets

Toooldtopretend · 22/02/2025 13:18

Ban on chewing gum. No disgusting litter and people not constantly chewing.

HundredMilesAnHour · 22/02/2025 13:19

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.....

I was thinking exactly the same thing. I saw multiple police cars last night on a short drive, and see police every day where I live. Then realised that’s maybe not the best reflection on where I live. I guess we’re never satisfied….complain when we don’t see police, complain when we do. 😜

converseandjeans · 22/02/2025 13:19

Decent affordable pre school education with a focus on outdoor learning & play until they are 6/7 years old.
Clean streets
More police with powers to deal with anti-social behaviour (I'm sure in places like Italy & France they whack criminals with a baton?)
Roads with no potholes
Cheaper & cleaner public transport (everywhere just feels dirty nowadays)
Less stress from OFSTED & pressure on young people to get high grades
More opportunities to learn a trade from 14 onwards & for it to be more valued (tradies go on usually to earn good money & are usually decent blokes)

CrushingOnRubies · 22/02/2025 13:20

Peclet · 22/02/2025 12:05

a warm reliable summer.

This

And free accessible parking in villages and smaller towns.

yourmaw · 22/02/2025 13:22

Sunshine.smiling faces.

Penelope1703 · 22/02/2025 13:24

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.

That would be so helpful!

SocialMeeds · 22/02/2025 13:24

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.

Sunshine

Penelope1703 · 22/02/2025 13:24

Abra1t · 22/02/2025 12:08

Less litter.

So true. Britain is so DIRTY.

Mauro711 · 22/02/2025 13:24

I’m back in my home country of Sweden now but the things they have here that I wished they had in the UK is a GP system that is all online and you just log in and book your appointment, regardless of if you want a same day appointment or a later one.

Can and plastic bottle recycling machines at the supermarket that gives you money back when you return them empty.

Bank-ID, it’s an app connected to you bank and you use to log in to absolutely everything and to identify yourself for anything from online purchases, logging into our version of HMRC, the GP, school info and many more things. It’s seriously amazingingly convenient.

Penelope1703 · 22/02/2025 13:24

BigDahliaFan · 22/02/2025 12:09

In japan the vending machines on station platforms sell cans of hot tea, chocolate , coffee and soup. Perfect on a cold morning!

I could definitely use this!

Penelope1703 · 22/02/2025 13:25

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.

I think technically we can do this but I never have

Ubertomusic · 22/02/2025 13:26

tinkersfig · 22/02/2025 13:10

I don't know if this is available in other countries, but I think we should have proper care infrastructure for our children and our elderly. Two of the most vulnerable times in a persons life.

It seems only the rich are able to access proper, comfortable care for their old age and it's disgusting. Nothing is paid forward in this country. Same with education.

Our healthcare, policing and education systems are fucked.

We live in a third world country and pay heavily for the privilege.

This!

Penelope1703 · 22/02/2025 13:26

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!)

Would love this although so far I'm very lucky with my neighbours

Penelope1703 · 22/02/2025 13:26

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 😁

Great public transport in cities here but not so much in suburban areas / towns / rural areas.

Trunksarebetter · 22/02/2025 13:27

BobbyBiscuits · 22/02/2025 12:14

Nice trains that are comfortable, reasonably priced and run efficiently.

Definitely this! I hate how in thrall to the mighty car this country is.

Penelope1703 · 22/02/2025 13:27

Undrugged · 22/02/2025 13:00

Affordable high end day spas. They’re so much better on the continent. Oh, I know I should say something worthy and life-improving but meh.

a proper dual climate - hot in summer and properly cold with snow in winter.

Also, mountains high enough to ski on (Scotland doesn’t count).

Would absolutely love a German style
Spa and sauna here!

QueSyrahSyrah · 22/02/2025 13:29

So many of these things already exist in Britain?

We have the red/green car park lights, motorcycle couriers, reasonably visible police presence and public drinking water fountains where I am, to start with.

Blaster taps, fly screens and external window shutters may not come as standard but are available to have fitted if you want them.

Nothing much anybody can do about the weather!

goingdownfighting · 22/02/2025 13:30

All the flavours of lays crisps

cooljerk · 22/02/2025 13:30

Decent food and affordable restaurants. Here everything is 'X and chips', usually from a cash and carry. Proper food in cafes / restaurants is so expensive in England. In Europe it's very normal to be able to order real food for a sensible price.

QueSyrahSyrah · 22/02/2025 13:32

Mauro711 · 22/02/2025 13:24

I’m back in my home country of Sweden now but the things they have here that I wished they had in the UK is a GP system that is all online and you just log in and book your appointment, regardless of if you want a same day appointment or a later one.

Can and plastic bottle recycling machines at the supermarket that gives you money back when you return them empty.

Bank-ID, it’s an app connected to you bank and you use to log in to absolutely everything and to identify yourself for anything from online purchases, logging into our version of HMRC, the GP, school info and many more things. It’s seriously amazingingly convenient.

Pain in the arse having to buy your alcohol separately from your weekly shopping though

(Lighthearted, in case it wasn't clear. I have Swedish family and there are lots of things that make more sense there. They think it's wild that my DS will start school so young, for a start).