Rebecca Holcomb
Being proud of where you come from can make for some exciting avenues of expression. Sometimes, it’s a tattoo of your country’s flag or a big blowout on Independence Day. And sometimes it’s in thinking that what your country does is so great that you don’t understand why every country doesn’t do it. This list is for all those who wish other nations would copy what their country does.
1. Personal Hygiene
One contributor hailed the importance of access to sanitary products for people who need them for personal hygiene. “Access to free sanitary products. Honestly, I think this should be a global thing!” Access to products that help people care for themselves is essential to many aspects of our lives. No reason anyone should go without everyday items like shampoo, conditioner, sanitary items, toothpaste, etc.
2. Cycling Infrastructure
This idea provides for forming sidewalks, pathways, and trails for those who ride bicycles and tricycles to access the main parts of towns and cities. It was an excellent answer for this list, as many people have switched to riding where they can to reduce gas costs and their carbon footprint. “Cycling infrastructure and livable cities.”
3. Free Food
In Puerto Rico, public schools serve food to every student, no matter the student’s financial status. “Public school gives complimentary breakfast and lunches to all kids regardless of their parent’s financial status. Teachers can also eat this food, but they must provide notice beforehand. ” Food should never be a problem on anyone’s mind, but the world can be unfair.
4. Healthcare
One user praised the United States healthcare system for its innovation, technological advancements, and overall care. But one poster wasn’t quite so sure to give them five stars. “The U.S. no question has the world’s best healthcare. But in terms of affordability, it’s probably the worst among 1st world countries.”
5. Friendliness
One person exalted their country’s overall acceptance of people, sharing that it’s not uncommon for anyone to stop by for a cup of tea. “Friendliness. Any neighbor can drop into the house anytime and be treated to a cup of tea and a cake.” In the last four decades, we’ve gone from knowing our neighbors to being suspicious of them, an unfortunate product of an ever-increasing online life.
6. Diya Documentation
A Ukrainian respondent who has been in America since September 2022 was surprised that America still uses paper documentation. “In Ukraine, everything works online, and no one has used regular mail for a long time. In Ukraine, there is a mobile application, “Diya”(“Дія”). You can solve any document problem. In this application, you can draw up documents and pay a fine. Also, in this application, all your documents are stored, so when you have a phone, there is no need to carry original documents. ”
7. Gun Rights
This topic is hot and caused a bit of discussion in the online forum, but users were civil in their interactions. Eventually, the original poster lamented, “I do admit I wish there were a better process to weed out the garbage.”
8. Higher Education
One contributor loves the U.S. higher education system, saying, “I’m not sure how or what it is we are doing, but we are doing it well if all the kings and presidents across the world send their kids to U.S. universities and the ultimate goal for many a Chinese or Korean teenager is to be accepted into Harvard.” Another individual responded that access to higher education shouldn’t come shackled with a lifetime of debt. I couldn’t agree more.
9. Paid Time Off
Americans are so used to sacrificing themselves at work that more paid time off is as foreign as taking a vacation. However, in Brazil, France, Spain, and several African nations, the annual paid time off (PTO) is a healthy 30 days. That’s three times the average PTO of the American worker. What could you do with twenty more days of unwinding and relaxation?
10. Vending Machines
Vending machines in America are considered a last resort for food and drink. However, when you visit Japan, China, or Switzerland, you can get everything from hot fries and burgers to live crabs, pizza, heated drinks, and even liquid cheese if you need a last-minute fondue. For one world traveler, the experience in Japan was charming. “For a couple of yen, you can walk away with a hot bottle of green tea or coffee. It’s pretty dreamy.”
11. Convenience Stores
Asian countries take convenience in their stores very seriously. An individual who’s visited several countries in the region says, “In some Asian countries I’ve visited, like Japan, China, and Korea, you can pick up a complete, healthy, and gourmet meal of rice, fish, and veggies or even a bowl of hot soup.” This poster reveals they even have baristas if you want a fresh latte, and most stores offer mail drop-off, copy and printing services, and even the equivalent of Ticketmaster.
12. Toilets
No matter how you prefer to do your business in the bathroom, Japan offers style and privacy to the art of bathroom etiquette. One knowledgeable person said, “The most deluxe versions have a lid that automatically opens and closes, a heated seat, a built-in bidet (with various water pressure and positions), a dryer, and a sound function for privacy. Oh, and it cleans itself. After returning from Japan, I begged for one of these in my home.”
National Pride
Most people have some connection to the place they call home. Our cultural and national heritage is such that it shapes part of who we are. Being able to express that is incredible. It doesn’t mean that my country or yours gets everything right. Thankfully, we can foster a meeting of the minds and work on sharing projects to enhance people’s lives in other countries. Using the strengths of our nations might find a path towards world peace, although, at the moment, we seem very far away indeed.
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This article was initially published and syndicated by The Cents of Money.
