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Part of traveling and seeing new places is the thrill and excitement of finding out how people live in other countries. And the more drastic the difference is in culture, the more exciting it is.

Meet Jorie, a Chicago creative who has moved to Norway to live together with her husband, family, and pets, and who has also turned her TikTok channel into a platform to broadcast all of the interesting things she as an American found foreign in Norway.

In her running series of videos, appropriately titled “Things In Norway That Are Foreign To Me”, she points out things like bread cutting machines in grocery stores, leaving baby strollers with babies outside, packing your own groceries, and the like.

This, and other videos on her channel, have drawn in nearly 24,000 followers and almost 800,000 likes.

So, we’ve turned her intriguing points into a curated list that you can vote and comment on below. So, get cracking, and if you’re an international living in another country, why not share your biggest culture shocks in the comment section below!

More info: TikTok

#1

Dogs Are Allowed On Public Transport

Dogs Are Allowed On Public Transport

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Kookamunga
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dogs should be allowed everywhere. Church, restaurants, theaters, schools, hospitals, nightclubs, prisons, trampolines, TV studios, nuclear substations.....all things better with dogs.

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Bored Panda got in touch with the face behind the channel, Jorie, for an interview on her Things In Norway That Are Foreign To Me video series and all things Norway.

In the beginning, Jorie thought of creating these videos for an American-only audience as a way of informing them about the Norwegian culture. But she quickly understood that Norwegians like to see their culture reflected back at them, so the audience grew rapidly.

"Of course, it’s a small country in population and representation is exciting. I also think they enjoy explaining (as much as I enjoy reading it) why these differences are the way they are," elaborated Jorie.

So as my audience arose, I now try to point things out to Norwegian viewers of things here in Norway that are not common in other countries, especially the Americas, that they might not realize (like how much they add canned corn to, its not something they notice until they realize many other places don't have it as a common pizza topping!)."

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#2

Grass On Roofs

Grass On Roofs

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Trond Hermansen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The turf was traditionally used to hold birch bark in place thus creating a leak proof roof.

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#3

Stop Light Buttons That Actually Make Drivers Stop

Stop Light Buttons That Actually Make Drivers Stop

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Now, it's not all culture shock, as there are also "spot the difference" videos. Sure, some can be a tad bit shocking, like the idea of the government having to agree on a baby's name, but the latter category would involve things like date format differences and, according to Jorie, they are more for the sake of discussion.

And speaking of videos in general, Jorie used to keep a running list of things to discuss in them, but it changed a bit when the audience got involved:

"Now I read heavily through the comments, and just note things as I experience them. Again, there are 2 categories in the series: the ‘culture shock’ which doesn’t have many items left on the list as I’ve been living here a while; and the 'basic-known differences', those I have a few more on the back burner about. I’m also highly sensitive to all the things that will be misinterpreted as 'stupid American' so I try to stay always from those… or at least give a very thorough brainstorm of how to communicate it in a video."

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#6

Leaving Babies In Strollers Outside

Leaving Babies In Strollers Outside

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Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would be so afraid that somebody would take the baby. Its pure paranoia but I cant even leave our dog outside of a store just in case.

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#7

Colorful Houses

Colorful Houses

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(T)reacherou(S)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What colours do they use in usa if not blue and red (not trying to be mean, honestly curious)?

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#8

Recycling Bottles And Cans

Recycling Bottles And Cans

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loopyli
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have this in the US. You take them to the recycling center to exchange

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There are, however, videos that Jorie decided not to post, or there are videos that were posted despite it not really being "new" information at this point. She elaborates:

"Like I just mentioned, I hate the 'stupid American' comments. Of course, I know in Europe the dates are D/M/Y vs M/D/Y, or that the power outlets here were different, but I still want to post these small differences for Norwegians and other Europeans that don’t know how America does it."

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"I also get a lot of comments telling me how America works (in a negative cliche light) from people who definitely have never been. Mind you, we are made up of SO many states that are SO different culturally than one another. So videos that bring up politics, I’ll stay away from as I don’t like feeling any personal association with those cliches.

"On the other end, I’ll get comments from people who studied abroad in the states telling me I’m wrong about my comparison (roundabouts are not common in the US, period, end of story!)."

#9

Bread Slicers In Grocery Stores

Bread Slicers In Grocery Stores

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#10

Clean Drinking Water From Faucets

Clean Drinking Water From Faucets

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#11

Packing Your Own Groceries At Checkout

Packing Your Own Groceries At Checkout

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Fat Harry
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The whole of Europe (that I know of) does this. Again, the US is the odd one out.

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#12

Different (Consecutive) Date Format

Different (Consecutive) Date Format

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Nathaniel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why the Americans have it different I do not know, it makes sense day, month then year.

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#13

Smaller Milk Packaging With Shorter Expiration Periods

Smaller Milk Packaging With Shorter Expiration Periods

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Trond Hermansen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Norwegian scientists recently clarified that milk can be perfectly good for way longer than what is printed on the carton.

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Jorie continued:

"My biggest takeaway on it is that these videos are not 'who’s right and wrong', and no, I personally don't think the world revolves around the US, and many try to declare that. It’s just a fun note on how different countries and cultures can be. Although I find my commenters can be a very literal bunch! So I also try to put out as many disclaimers as I can to avoid all these types of comments."

"Sometimes my videos are dramatizations (I added canned corn to everything I ate that week of shooting, I do know Norwegians don't add it to those specific items). And some of my videos are more based on my experience coming from Chicago, not just the general US. But no matter how hard I try, no one reads captions and they will still find a point of contention. I do have a huge experience I plan to talk about in the very near future that I’ve been eager to share on social. So those will maybe become a sub-series to this series very soon. Stay tuned!"

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#14

Smaller Fridges

Smaller Fridges

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Pat Bond
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a good size fridge freezer. Won't be too hard on the electrics and no plumbing required.

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#15

Gender-Specific Names For Newborns

Gender-Specific Names For Newborns

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Elisabeth Holm
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah this one isnt all correct. You can name any child Alex, but you cant name your son Rosalinda. Any genderfluid name is allowed on any child, but a specified boy name such as Sebastian cant be given to a girl. Tbh this law mostly stops "woke" parents from knowingly getting their child bullied. Which boy named Sarah wouldnt be s**t on by the other kids. Also, if you are a girl but are transitioning to a boy you are allowed to change your name to a boy's name if desired, and vice versa. Sincerely, a Norwegian

Huddo's sister
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm interested to know, what would happen if a name was for one gender at a certain point in history but is now used for the other gender? I presume it would follow the current usage.

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Rasmus Berg
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Sweden we have start allow names from both genders, but we still have strictly regulation against name like "X Æ A-12" (Ex-Ash-A12). So no need to keep rules like that in modern civilation...

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Nadine Bamberger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That used to be a requirement in Germany, but it's not anymore, I think it's the same in Norway. It was put in place to prevent people from naming their kids Apple or Pilot Inspector.

Walter Brameld
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So if you transition in Norway, are you required by law to change your name?

J. Normal
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The way I am starting to see things... it might not be as easy as we would hope.

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Daniel (ShadowDrakken)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is really strange considering Scandinavia is ahead of the world on gender rights

Skull in Sky
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it actually makes hella sense. People are used to it and you have names that are names. You don't get names that are actually puzzle or tonguetwisters. That means less bullying because hehe, funny name.

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aj
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Idk about everywhere else but in Germany you can decide on a gender neutral first name as long as there's a non gender neutral second name.

Denise Flatmark
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not 100% true. The new naming law of 2003 opened a lot on which names are permitted. Gender neutral names are much more common and on a rising trend . But the government can stop names that can cause the child problems or are inappropriate .

September
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

F that. I doubt my name or my children's names would have made the cut.

J Robertson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So Kelly, Stacy, Jaiden, Billy, Bobby, Francis, Shawn, Devon, Kendal, so there are none of these? Ive known both male and female's with these names. Hell. Meredith was originally a man's name. So any Meredith should be male? This is dumb.

Terry Tobias
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My name is spelled in a way that is traditionally a male's name, but I'm female. And my legal name is Terry because my father liked that name but didn't like the name Theresa. It was confusing to new teachers when I was a kid and I used to hate my name, but as I got older I liked it because it was different. But I still get mail addressed to "Mr."

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KttyMazMeow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ok this sorta sucks. if anything giving gender-neutral names is best. you dont know if your child will be trans. also naming your child should be a personal thing, not something controlled by the government

Nicole Weymann
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The government doesn't control (i.e. tell you what to do), but regulate (tell you what not to do/define limits). Until they can decide on their own children have to live with their parents' verdict, including stupid names like Abcde or that keyboard smash of an idiocy of Musk's. Government curtailing personal freedom of choice is not always a worst case scenario - and it's the kids who have to suffer the consequences of their producers' choices, not the entitled parents, to whom their darling "Jesus-may-smite-the-unbelievers" or "Rainbow Jewel Dolphin III" is an exercise in self-actualisation. 🤷

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J P
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an American, i did not expect this from you Norway!

Elsie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some would say this makes them behind on the times. But truth be said name a girl a girls name and a boy a boys name. And if when the child decides they wish they were born a different sex maybe let them change it when they are mature enough to decide

Nazda Pokmov
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The government knows best. Name your kids NORMAL names please!!!

Jill Bussey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Given some of the names given in recent years, this is a GOOD idea.

Veronica Sjöberg
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really, why? I live in Sweden and gender neutral names are getting more and more popular here so I find it pretty odd that you still have to pick a gender specific name in Norway?

Jannicke Krogh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have gender neutral names in Norway too, like Kim and Alex and probably some more, but I don't think we would be allowed to call a boy Veronica for instance :)

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Jette Wang Wahnon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That would not fly in Portugal...lots of boys have a Maria attached to their other name i e Antonio Maria,Gonçalo Maria etc.etc and in Italy Nicola is quite common for a boy..

Ayra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But those are 2nd names. You need to have one name, as a gender identifier (at least in Germany)

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Takirosh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The simple reason is so your child won't be bullied for having a stupid name.

Jenný Samúelsdóttir Herlufsen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For the sake of boys being named Vagina and girls being named Steven. We have more empathy towards innocent children than to stupid people.

Arenite
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So no Norwegian versions of Robin, Kelly, Jamie, Tyler, etc.? That’s really intrusive and authoritarian!

April Pickett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no! This is another government regulation! They should copy the U.S. about protests!

Seadog
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm all for this one. So tired of people coming up with ridiculous names and often spelled different than it's pronounced.

Londo Cotto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fun fact: racist manliest of men for the over 60's, John Wayne, was actually called Marion Robert Morrison. This is a damned good idea but id also like to add "stop misspelling basic names to make your child stand out ASHLEIGH!!" We ALL know some scarf wearing, pilates and yoga spititual pumpkin spice latte consuming beige cardigan wearing hipster mom who is determined to make her spawn stand out no matter how average they are . . . . . SPELL IT PROPERLY MIKAYLAH!!"

Marble2
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she is not mentioning that it is completely legal to marry your first cousin. So they like foreigners because they improve their genetic pool. But foreigners should know their place and should aspire only to being a cleaner...

Marble2
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they might avoid naming the kid for years, especially if it is produced by two people who have each been divorced a few times and each has a set of kids from before

Shawn Barry
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

because newborns ARE male/female (sometimes hermaphrodite tho ). at a later date If that child realizes they're non-binary (or something else) they can change their name to reflect their Identity. leave it for the child to decide.

James Arvidson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I agree with the idea as it makes things "orderly". Never, ever, ever. Government should never have the ability to approve anything of a personal nature. Or much else really. The bare minimum to do the 3 or 4 things they should do.

Arthur Waite
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on which government . . . in my Public School, (in Ontario, long, long ago) there was a pleasant, normal boy whose name was Lynn. First couple of years he got laughs, finger-pointing, some bullying, funny looks from teachers, etc. Then, during one Summer break, his parents told him to just say his family was Ukranian, and let it lie. Made all the difference, he suddenly 'fit in'. Nice guy, friend of mine.

F. H.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same in Germany. In some areas people couldn't even choose names like Nikita.

L.a. Williams
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I searched forever to find my kids name it would tick me off having a list that the government picks.

Claudia Gross
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Norway is not really the land with the "son" or "dottir" In the Nordic countries, family names often, but certainly not always, originate from a patronymic. In Denmark and Norway, the corresponding ending is -sen, as in Karlsen. Names ending with dotter/datter (daughter), such as Olofsdotter, are rare but occurring, and only apply to women, That would be In Iceland, most people have no family name; a person's last name is most commonly a patronymic, i.e. derived from the father's first name. For example, when a man called Karl has a daughter called Anna and a son called Magnús, their full names will typically be Anna Karlsdóttir ("Karl's daughter") and Magnús Karlsson ("Karl's son"). The name is not changed upon marriage.

Elisabeth Holm
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Roxy Eastland
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That just seems very backward, repressive, and unNorwegian. What gives? One of ours a name that can be used for girls or boys, and I fail to see how that's hurting anyone.

Elisabeth Holm
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The post is half-wrong. Names that are known to be used for both boys and girl (take Alex as an example) are totally fine. The law however states that names can be denied if they are to cause the child unnecessary hurt. I mean, which boy named Jessica wouldnt get s**t on unless he was trans (trans people are allowed to switch names that fit their new gender). No good parent should knowingly want to create a victim for bullies.

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Katya Myers
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Much better than surname-names 🤢Carter, Hudson, Kennedy…why people do that

Id row
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're obviously on to something. They have one of the highest quality of living indexes in the world.

An Co
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The real weirdness is requiring government APPROVAL at all for the child's names.

Karl Baxter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember talking to a Portuguese exchange student about this. I said that I thought it was a daft policy but she was very in favour of it saying “Look at Americans! They can call their kids all sorts of stupid names like Candy and Honey!” I just thought their government was rather over-reaching their authority in this case.

Prairiegirl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lots of European countries do this. Some places you need the governments approval before selecting certain names. A bit out dated but most people living there don't seem to mind.

J. Normal
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"A bit out dated but most people living there don't seem to mind." I read that same thoughts stated regarding women's purity tests, and female circumcision's

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Ozacoter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stupid. We should strive to degenderize our society not make the gender roles ans sexism more strong.

Dorothy Cloud
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know why they do it, but America should. I've met people that their parents seem to go out of their way to name the poor child an unrecognizable name.

John Baker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not a big fan of oddball names, but I'm even less amused by governments that think it's their business to tell you what names are or aren't "acceptable."

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#16

Standing Rather Than Sitting Next To A Stranger On Public Transport

Standing Rather Than Sitting Next To A Stranger On Public Transport

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#18

Roundabouts

Roundabouts

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May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Studies have shown that these are much better for traffic flow than traffic lights - don't know why everyone doesn't use them

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"Norway is a beautiful, safe, and lovely place to be! Posting videos and interacting with so many Norwegians via TikTok has been a great microscope to even more of their culture than I could experience alone. The biggest challenge was trying to explore my new home during Covid times. I hope to keep it up throughout my time living here," concludes Jorie.

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Stay tuned for more videos from Jorie, which you can check out on her TikTok channel. But don't leave just yet, as there are more things to see by scrolling below, and why not leave a comment with some of your culture shocks in the comment section!

#19

Flexible Shower Doors

Flexible Shower Doors

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arianna
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The author of this topic seems to live in a world apart! I am impressed! Foldable barriers are normal in Europe!

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#20

Blinds Outside Windows

Blinds Outside Windows

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Cambree
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't mean to sound stupid, but how do you lower the blinds? Do you go outside each time?

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#21

Windows Open In Multiple Directions

Windows Open In Multiple Directions

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Olga Dremina
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean, it is different in the US? I thought, windows are the same everywhere?

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#22

More Laid-Back Airport Security

More Laid-Back Airport Security

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#23

Separating Beer Packs

Separating Beer Packs

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#24

Canned Corn In Almost Any Dish

Canned Corn In Almost Any Dish

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Nathaniel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I add canned corn to so many things, salads, beans on toast, pizzas, stews etc. Not tried it with ice cream yet though.

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#25

Different Electrical Outlets

Different Electrical Outlets

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