What better way to broaden your worldview than by traveling? Being able to experience new social norms and customs that might be miles away from what you’re used to sounds like a great way to get some new perspectives. Perhaps just because things have always been a certain way, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best?
One Redditor asked US citizens what they think the US could adopt from other countries, and people had a lot to say. It’s clever to check out how other systems work once in a while, and these folks noticed some huge gaps that the US needs to jump.
From mundane things like shoes in the house, to the whole tax system, people were eager to share where they think the US is lacking. Bored Panda selected the best submissions on what Americans could learn from other countries. Upvote your favorites, and don’t be shy to share your opinion in the comments below!
#1
No tipping. But actually having a good salary for waiters not to mention, health insurance, paid vacation.
Image source: Razzle-red, Dan Smedley
#2
Including taxes in prices.
Image source: thefakeelonma, Michael Burrows
#3
When I was in Austria and Germany, I walked my ass off everyday because I could. The streets were safe with designated pedestrian areas. I ate tons of food and drank tons of beer and I still lost weight. If American cities were more pedestrian friendly, we wouldn’t have the obesity epidemic we have now. Well, maybe we would anyway – because, cr**py processed food with mystery chemicals in it.
Image source: SitUpandBeg, Afif Ramdhasuma
#4
I like how in Japan the schools basically have the kids clean up after themselves and take care of their school. They don’t have janitors and children serve their peers lunch, too. Plus, their lunches always look amazing compared to the highly processed foods my child gets here. My son and I pick up trash around our area. The middle school by us is always covered in trash. Give some responsibility and respect to our planet.
Image source: kojinB84, Hiroyoshi Urushima
#5
Adding to this, guaranteed annual paid vacation days for everyone, period. The EU guarantees FOUR CALENDAR WEEKS. Some other countries have more.
US has ZERO.
Image source: DeluxeMixedNutz
#6
Finland has recently ended homelessness via just allowing people to live in small apartments without any preconditions and 4/5 make their way back to a stable life
it’s also cheaper then allowing people to be homeless
Image source: littleMAHER1, Ev
#7
A prison system that focuses on rehabilitation instead of punishment. Many countries have been successful with this saving literally billions of dollars and cutting down on crime.
Image source: LtRecore, Matthew Ansley
#8
More than two political parties.
Image source: Dino_Spaceman, Element5 Digital
#9
Decent healthcare that isn’t tied to your job. Other countries all over the world have figured out different ways to do this, so why can’t we? (I know, corporations own politicians)
I’m not an expert, but I’m guessing it would destabilize a bunch of industries in the near term. But I wonder if long-term, it would create so much new innovation since people would be unafraid to lose their health benefits to leave their stable but s****y corporate jobs to start new ventures.
Image source: michiman
#10
Teaching foreign language to young students in public schools (ie 5yrs, k-5) when the propensity to learn language quickly is maximum.
Image source: zenjen22, Taylor Flowe
#11
I keep seeing people in the US being charged ridiculous fees to apply for a rental property and then up not being successful in their application. The UK has banned these fees and it seems a much more fair way of doing things.
Image source: KimmieB123, Igal Ness
#12
No big pharma advertising
Image source: Right-Rain-6537
#13
Mandatory paid family leave for the birth or adoption of a child.
Image source: liminalrabbithole, Alexander Grey
#14
Remove it being legal for anyone to get paid less than minimum wage so as to rely on tips. No more tips. Just people making their hourly pay doing the job they do, and we pay what it costs, period.
If that means a haircut is $45, well, that’s what even the cheapest one comes to anyway, with tip, so let’s just have done with the tip economy and pay everyone their full wage, paid by the employer, and the customer pays the set price.
Image source: kaiwannagoback, Sam Dan Truong
#15
At South Korean restaurants, tables have call buttons. You press them when you’re ready to order or you need anything. Other than that, the service staff leaves you alone.
#16
When I went to Canada this summer I was amazed that there were recycle and compost bins everywhere. It was to the point that I almost didn’t throw anything in the actual garbage the entire trip. Time to step up your game America.
Image source: drtypete, Nareeta Martin
#17
Universal school lunches. It is embarrassing that we do not have folks cooking lunches for students from scratch, and that it is not provided for free to all students. You want to bring your own lunch? Great, but you can also have the free hot lunch that looks homemade, not pizza squares, canned veggies and a slice of a fruit and 3 oz of milk. Kids shouldn’t be going into debt for lunch. We’re probably wealthy enough that our food waste alone would be sufficient to, if captured magically, to feed every kid in the United States three proper meals per day.
Walkable cities.
Above ground monorail systems.
Image source: radiantpenguin991, Katerina Holmes
#18
A better tax system. IE the government gives you a number and you pay it, no guess work.
Image source: twenty__something, Kelly Sikkema
#19
Not having huge gaps in bathroom stalls from any other country in the world please. Why do we as americans put up with this? I’m tired of making eye contact with strangers while s******g in public.
Image source: Touch_My_Woody, Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos
#20
In Japan there is a service that you can call 24hrs/day that will come with 2 drivers 1 car. One driver drives you and your car home, the other follows in their car to pick up the driver that took you home with your car. No DUI ect. Its actually really affordable there. No need to get an uber home that night then an uber back the next day when you are hung over only to find out you have a million parking tickets or your car got towed.
Image source: Visual_Sport_950, Mitchell Griest
#21
The train system from Japan. The US public transportation is lacking.
Image source: markedbeamazed, Fikri Rasyid
#22
Taking your shoes off when entering the inside.
Image source: TBeIRIE, Bran Sodre
#23
keep public spaces clean and tidy like in japan. that is all.
Image source: bread-of-time, Abby Chung
#24
Swedish drinking laws. If I remember correctly, you can purchase alcohol below 5% at age 18, and be served liquor is bars (so the bartender can control the amount being served.) Seems like a smarter way to introduce kids to alcohol rather than opening the flood gates at 21.
Image source: underhandfranky, kazuend
#25
Widely available artisan bread at affordable prices
Image source: H2olst, Spring Fed Images
#26
Safe bicycle infrastructure
Image source: Prestigious-Owl-6397, Markus Spiske
#27
Amsterdam. Knew they biked, but didn’t expected multi-level bike parking lots every mile. Jesus christ I loved it there.
Image source: leckycherms, Portuguese Gravity
#28
Siesta. Nothing seems more civilized than everyone taking a nap from 12 until 3ish in the afternoon. Then working until 6-7. And eating dinner at 8 or 9
Image source: ajl_mo, Adrian Swancar
#29
When I went to Japan. When I ordered from food from any type of chain that is also in USA like McDonald’s, Denny’s, Burger King, it looked like the picture on the menu or the commercial. It was truly bizzare. Like in the USA if you get a bigmac it looks nothing like the picture or in the commercials. When You get a big mac in japan…it looks like the one in the picture. Its like somebody back there was painstakingly putting that burger together perfectly.
#30
Fika, Swedish break for coffee and light socializing.
Image source: k1lk1
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