Things that exist in other countries that you wish existed here

[emkana]

One thing I keep thinking about:
Suppositories for babies/small children! Sooooooooooooooooo much easier to administer than blooming sticky medicine from a spoon, can be done without baby noticing anything at all, also no need for nasty add ons to make it more palatable, so much more pure!
Why why why can't they be generally available in this country????

long hot summers

not quite what you wree probably looking for, but dh was saying today how he wishes sandypop ice lollies existed here....

twisties-if only

What are twisties?

this is way off, but i would like to see the death penalty introduced here to get all the sick people who harm children off the streets, sometimes our laws don't protect them enough

cappucino flavoured magnum type ice lollies.

cheap and efficent public transport.

oh hell 90 just googled sandypop and had better explian that they are ice lollies from majorca...just incase anone else finds what i did

relaxed attitude to life like in Southern France and the Med. And yes, what are twisties?

a kind of aussie wotsit emkana
they are lovely

family evening walks on the town as per Italian "passegiata"

A decent literacy rate.
A proper indigenous culture, not just cr*p imported from the US.

A complete lack of chavs and chavettes, bling, too loud music in cars...

Proper communities - rather than people not knowing their neighbours or caring...

A ready supply of tanned, lithe blue eyed blonde haired scandinavian men to ogle at

If I lived in the UK I would be sad that NZ had one woman, one midwife and 3 nights stays in hospital for a vaginal birth (you can go home if you want to).

Trouble is F&Z, we are such a mongrel race I am not even sure what a British indiginous culture would include.

A bit like what has been said before - pride in being British - it seems to be seen as racist etc to be proud of who we are regardless of race, religion etc we should still be proud of ourselves.

Anything at all would be better than this Big Mac / Starbucks / Gap worship sh*te we have now, kitty

To me being British is being tolerant and fair-minded. Our culture seems to only be about bloody football and binge drinking.

It is almost like there is a two teir culture in this country - or am I just being a bit snobby?

I love Britain, i think it's a gorgeous country and missed it alot when i lived abroad, however,
The thing i'd bring over here is the attitude that, very simply, children are pART of the society, not a hindrance to be 'endured' at specified times. When i think of how my freinds used to take their litle girls out to tavernas and restaurants that's what i'd change.

saunas in houses as standard

more storage and plumbing that is not Victorian.

financial support for families to enable mothers to a) stay at home to raise a family b) find good quality childcare if they decide not to

nicer beaches

We've got some stunning and clean beaches it is just our weather that's so shite.

Ah doormat..have had a Proustian moment with your mention of Twisties. Very much part of my pNG childhood.

The,charm, courtesy and efficiency with which Turkish restaurateurs greet you.
Within 5 minutes of arrival,bread,salad and drinks are laid out,the baby has been whisked off for a cudlle and your dinner is sizzling on the grill.

The UK is hopeless in that respect.How come any outing of more than about 5 people involves chossing from the menu (faxed to the office) three weeks in advance.
Just because I want fecking pasta on the 12th May,doesn't mean that is what I will be in the mood for on 22nd of June.