These Genius Ideas Haven’t Made Their Way To America Yet And We Need Them ASAP
Many of the greatest inventions in human history have come out of the United States of America, but the U.S. of A isn't the only country that has a few good ideas up its sleeve. When it comes to barbecue, there are few countries in the world who can beat us (sorry Australia), but when it comes to public washrooms, chocolate, and childcare, America is way behind.
America may be the land of the free (soft drink refills), but it still has a thing or two to gain. Keep reading to see some of the inventions, items, and practices that America needs to adopt ASAP.
Japan Has Toilets That Cover Your...Noises (If You Know What We Mean)
Have you ever been using the washroom in public and thought to yourself, you know what would make this experience better? Some noises to mask the sound of my bowel movements. Apparently people in Japan have thought that very thought because they've installed soundboards in their public washrooms that make flushing noises.
That button with a music note on it will give you about 30 seconds of sound to mask whatever other noises are coming out of your stall.
America's Drinking Laws Need To Get With The Times
Americans love to drink, so why are our drinking laws so out of date? Canada's legal age is 19, and in most European countries it's 18.
Not to mention, the carry laws are way more relaxed. In most European nations you can just walk around drinking a bottle of wine, and nobody cares.
Get Rid Of Those Bathroom Stall Gaps
There is no rhyme or reason for America's bathroom to have that stupid gap between the stalls. Why don't the doors go all the way to the ground? Some people say its to keep bathrooms safe from assault and drug trafficking. But if the rest of the world can get by with completely private bathroom stalls, why can't we?
Sales Tax Is Included
It can be pretty disheartening to walk up to the register to pay for your item only to discover that it costs 3-13% more than you anticipated. In most countries outside of North America, sales tax is already included in the cost of the item. That means you don't have to suffer through mentally calculating tax on everything you buy.
We think America should definitely adopt this practice. Price tags without sales tax included on them are basically lies.
The Prisons In Norway
In Norway, it’s possible that you’ll go to prison for committing a crime, but prison life isn’t all that bad. Rather than focus on sacrifice and punishment, they rehabilitate their inmates with a place designed for solitude and reflection.
Norway’s minimum security island prison requires inmates to stay there, but other than that, they’re provided with a good life where they can relax. According to the BBC, Norway has the lowest rate of repeat offenders in Europe.
An Adult Juice Box
Americans live for fast food and single-use containers, so you'd think that an alcohol juice box would be right up our alley. Yet here we are in the 21st century without vodka juice boxes.
America needs to get on this quick so I can start bringing one for lunch. Check out Australia's easy way to give parents a break in the grocery store.
An All In One Sink Experience
IN most public washrooms in America, you wet your hands in a sink, then shuffle over to a soap dispenser that's hanging on the wall, and then walk over to a hand dryer. This washroom puts all of those steps in one convenient location. There's one tap for water, one for soap, and one for hot air. It's genius.
Keep reading for even more ways America is falling behind when it comes to public restrooms.
An Easier Moving Experience
This moving truck in Japan seriously looks like a transformer. It can be so frustrating to maneuver a giant couch into and out of a moving truck. This truck opens from the back and the side, making moving large items way easier.
We didn't know we needed a truck like this until we saw this photo, but now we think that U-Haul really needs to incorporate this design into their next batch of moving trucks.
This Seafood Restaurant Has A Mouthwash Dispenser
Red Lobster, take note. This seafood restaurant actually is located in America. From the looks of the phone number on the machine, it seems to be in the Atlanta region. This isn't a phenomenon that's caught on in the rest of the country, though. Northern states, take note. We know a few seaside towns that could use a mouthwash dispenser like this one.
This free mouthwash machine must have saved a lot of first dates.
Heated Mirrors Keep Your Bathroom Fog-Free
The hotels in Japan have mirrors that are heated so that when your shower gets nice and steamy, you can still see yourself.
It seems like a silly invention, but anyone who's had to get ready immediately after a shower knows that wiping the mirror over and over can get annoying.
Prevent Static Shocks
We've all been living a life doomed to static electricity shocks everytime we use an elevator. If putting up a sticker is all we have to do to stop the madness, why hasn't it happened already?
This doesn't seem like one of those things that will cost too much. Get on it, American elevator makers.
Kit Kats Of Every Flavor
In America, you can get regular Kit Kats, dark chocolate Kit Kats, and white chocolate Kit Kats. Sometimes on Halloween, they bring out those orange Kit Kats, but they just taste like white chocolate.
In Japan, Kit Kats come in more than 15 different flavors including pear, edamame, apple, green tea, and sweet potato. The strawberry Kit Kat in this photo looks particularly delicious. You can order these online, so you don't have to travel all the way to Japan to get your Kit Kat fix.
New Zealand Has The Best Childcare Policy
New Zealand cares about your baby. They want to to make sure their young citizens are given the best shot at life before they’re even in school. That’s why the country offers 20-22 hours of free child care each week.
The government pays for daycare for toddlers part-time to give them a good start at development. Imagine if we had free day care in the U.S.!
7/11 Wine In Japan
Our liquor laws are archaic, but at least you can buy booze in any corner store in America. And even though we have these privileges, we're still exempt from the national treasure that is the 7/11 brand wine.
Why does Japan get 7/11 wine and America doesn't? I need to try the Yosemite Road chardonnay ASAP.
Japanese Subway Pushers
Don't worry about missing your train in Japan. If the subway car is too full, a uniformed employee will help stuff you in.
These people are called Oshiya and fortunately, they wear white gloves. For sanitary purposes, ya know?
A Very Orderly Costco
If you're ever wondering how American's act when there are no rules or regulations, just step inside a Costco. It's complete anarchy. People everywhere, yelling, no order.
This Costco in Japan is absolutely mindblowing. Do they do this themselves or is there a Costco police officer enforcing it? How do we get this to happen in America?
Our Chocolate Just Doesn't Compare
America has a long way to go when it comes to making quality chocolate. Sorry Hershey's, but those overly sweet chocolate bars (if you can call them that) don't even compare to Cadbury's. The laws regarding chocolate in the US vs. the UK are actually quite different.
In Britain, milk chocolate has to contain at least 25% cocoa, but the U.S. only requires it to contain 10%. American chocolate makes up the difference with various forms of sugar.
Moving Sidewalks And Escalators Combined
We all love moving sidewalks in airports, but have you ever wished that you could use a moving sidewalk in a mall or in a busy subway station? In other countries, moving sidewalks are connected to escalators in all kinds of public places.
Now you can go upstairs and across an entire floor without taking a step. We're living in the year 3020. You'd think America would get on this invention considering how much we hate walking around.
A Plus For Parents
I understand why the candy corporations want to have chocolate bars in every grocery store checkout line, but please, give American parents one candy-free zone. This Australian grocery store understands a no candy checkout line is probably the best part of any parent's week.
Nobody Else Uses The Word "Pulp"
In North America, we call those stringy pieces of orange flesh in orange juice "pulp," but in other parts of the world, the word "pulp" just isn't a thing. In the UK, pulp is called "juicy bits".
The Norwegian word for pulp is "fruktkjøtt" which translates to "fruit meat" which is equally hilarious. The real question is, why does America, or any other country for that matter, still make orange juice with pulp? Nobody likes pulp.
Europeans Get Four Weeks Of Vacation Time
By law, every country in the European Union gets a minimum of four weeks paid vacation. Four weeks! In comparison, the average American worker gets two weeks. And sometimes that's not even paid. No wonder everyone in Europe is so tan and laidback.
America really needs to take a hint from Europe and treat their workers better.
Safe Internet Shopping
I will admit that safe spots for online transactions are gaining momentum in America. Although there aren't many designated spots like this one seen here, many people buying off Craiglist will suggest meeting at the local police station.
Word of advice: if anyone refuses to meet you at the police station or a safe meetup spot, then you probably dodged a bullet.
Free Museums That Are Actually Free
In Europe, museums are viewed to be a public service that anyone should be free to access. I know America has many 'free' museums, but they all ask for "donation upon entry."
And when I only donate a dollar, I can feel their judgment burn through to my soul.
Anybody Can Vote In Australia
In Australia, voting isn’t so uptight like it is in America. They want to encourage people to make it out to vote, so they don’t put added pressure on their citizens.
This means it’s perfectly acceptable to walk up to your local polling place in your jeans and t-shirt, or you know, your Speedo.
Fewer Milk Options
What's up with all the different types of milk here? One percent, two percent, half and half... it can get tricky up in the dairy aisle.
In England they do it better. Milk is either whole or skimmed. You can make your selection without thinking about it for two hours.
Smartphone Cleaners In Japan
If you knew how many germs were lurking on your smartphone, you'd probably never press it to your ear again. Who wants all of those microscopic bugs near their face? Japan has a solution, though. They know that cell phones are ten times dirtier than a toilet seat, so they created these cell phone disinfecting stations.
All you have to do is pull out one of those smartphone cleaning papers and rub it all over your phone.
The Swedish Are Expert Snugglers
Have you ever heard of hygge? It’s this pretty awesome concept that Swedes practice. It’s basically wearing the most comfortable clothes you can find and curling up on the couch with delicious food and something to entertain yourself.
Cold winters can be harsh in Sweden, so their country is pretty much a judgment-free zone when it comes to lounging around the house with scented candles and a pile of chocolate. We should all adopt this.
Taiwan Has The Best Hot Springs
In Taiwanese culture, hot springs are a go-to method for letting go of stress and unwinding. Hot spring bathing is a health ritual in this part of the world, where many of them can be found.
The crystal clear water is clean and can be used as drinking water. The water is beneficial for skin, while the relaxing outdoor environment is like a hug for your soul.
Lunch Is A Big Deal In France
In France, lunch is the most important meal of the day and what's not to love about that? The French are also given a longer time to enjoy their mid-day meals than we are here.
On the flip side, it might be harder to stay awake at your desk following a luxurious long lunch break.
Brazil's Progressive Alcohol Laws
Ok, we’re not saying that we’re all for public intoxication, but drinking laws in the U.S. have become pretty tight. In Brazil, on the other hand, the drinking age is 18 years old, and is not often enforced. Even better, you can drink anywhere you please.
Whether you’re in a car, or on the beach, pop a beer and enjoy yourself, because you’re in Brazil.
We All Need Toilet Slippers
Since you're expected to remove your shoes and wear slippers when visiting any home in Japan, you might think you'd have to wear those same slippers into the bathroom. Not so.
You can keep your main house slippers clean by wearing special "toilet slippers" provided by your host, allowing you to keep your normal slippers pee-free.
America Needs As Many Saunas As Finland
The people of Finland know how to survive the cold. They stock up on saunas. In face, there are more saunas than Finnish people in the country, if you can believe that.
But they’re not your creepy, icky, typical gym sauna. Finns go the extra mile to make their saunas as beautiful and relaxing as possible. You can come across them in barns, lakeside cottages and cabins with a view.
Eating For One In Japan
The people of Japan understand that we don’t always want to be social. That’s why they invented a restaurant where you don’t have to even talk to anyone. It’s called “low-interaction dining” and was first seen in Fukuoka in 1960.
The trend was started at Ichiran restaurant, where they created ramen isolation booth restaurants that allow patrons to see which table is available on a chart, seat themselves, and fill out a paper to order. Their food is then served through a curtain, where they can enjoy their ramen in peace.
Bike Parking Spots
If you're like a lot of Americans, you get frustrated when you can't find a decent spot to park your bike. It especially sucks when this happens because you're actually, you know, trying to help the environment and get some exercise in at the same time.
They've solved the bike space problem in Japan with some awesome underground garages. Even better, thieves can't get to them down there.
There's No "All You Can Eat" In France
The concept of "all you can eat" is pretty foreign in France. Instead, restaurants serve you just the amount they think you should be consuming. This could be a good or a bad thing depending on how hungry you are.
Studies keep proving that Americans tend to eat everything on their plates, whether they are full or not. So the French might have the right concept when it comes to portion size.
ATMs In Portugal Are Everywhere
You can do so much more at an ATM in Portugal than withdrawing your hard-earned money. No, in Portugal you can also purchase movie and event tickets and other fun stuff.
Also, you can do less fun stuff like paying your utility and phone bills. But hey, this is more convenient right?
Graduation In Norway
High schoolers everywhere tend to celebrate some after graduation, but Norway takes the prize for hardest partying.
There, they have something called a russefeiring. This is where you rent a brightly-colored bus, wear fun clothes, and party for 17 straight days. I'd go back to high school for that!
The Number 13 Isn't Unlucky In Japan
For all you huge #13 fans, Japan might just be the place for you. The pronunciation of "four" sounds like the word for death, so people tend to avoid it the way we do with 13.
Elevators often won't have a fourth floor, and there's even a word for fear of that number: "Tetraphobia."
A Very Scottish Whiskey
What’s not to love about this Scottish product? It’s a whiskey-flavored condom. Seriously. Even better is that it's called the McCondom.
Whiskey probably got you to the point where a condom even comes into play… why stop drinking it just because you’re playing it safe?
Australia’s Meter Maids
Imagine you get back to your car to learn that a smokin’ hot woman has kindly paid your parking meter once your time expired, preventing you from getting a ticket. On the Gold Coast of Australia, this is the reality.
Surfers Paradise Meter Maids cruise around the downtown area wearing bikinis and paying off expired parking meters. Many of these women go on to be professional models.
