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I think most of us, when we travel abroad, have noticed some cool or just different things that we have never seen before. Rather, it may be something super extraordinary, unique, or something useless. However, we also are so used to some specific things that we have in our home countries that every time we travel abroad and can’t find them, well, it makes things more complicated.

If you are confused about what it’s all about, recently, one Reddit user posed a question online asking folks to share one product from their home country that they are surprised is not worldwide yet. The products vary from dish drying cabinets to specific food, so scroll through them, upvote your favorites and share things from your home country that should be worldwide!

More info: Reddit

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#1

30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide In New Zealand we have a thing called ACC ( accident compensation corporation) which is a public body that pays for hospital care, physiotherapy etc if you get injured. It is also written into our law that you can't sue someone if you get injured.

The effect of this is that:
1) people get quicker and better quality care, and the focus is on recovery
2) you don't have to sue someone for minor accidents that lead to disproportionate injuries (eg tripping on a public footpath and breaking your leg)
3) people don't get injured then try to profit from it by suing for stupid amounts of money
4) we don't have predatory lawyers trying to make money out of injuries, and none of those 'were you injured and it wasn't your fault' adverts everywhere etc.

I don't know all of the figures but my gut feeling is that this is a more efficient and better quality system than what many other countries have.

Guppy1985 , wiki commoms Report

Final score:
262points
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RELATED:
    #2

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Toilets with pedals instead of levers so you don’t have to touch anything with your hands

    youburyitidigitup , u/supercalliefragislit Report

    Final score:
    204points
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    Bored Panda got in touch with the author of this thread and he kindly agreed to share the inspiration behind the creation of it, a product from his country that, in his opinion, deserves more global recognition, and things suggested from the community that could thrive in his home country.

    OP starts by explaining that he was an entrepreneur and currently studies at one of the best business schools in the world, thus he was brainstorming ideas while exploring things that he would love to validate for potential businesses. 
    #3

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide The NHS.

    Walk into a hospital, get fixed and leave without worrying about paying, I've nothing more to say.

    Dodel1976 , Leimenide Report

    Final score:
    198points
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    #4

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Kinda not a product but - **bottle recycling machine/reverse vending machine** (?lol) Basically when you buy a drink in a bottle/can, you pay a little “pawn fee” (like 20 cents) and when you later go put the empty bottle/can in the machine you get the fee back. We usually collect the bottles until there is like 6 bags and then go cash out like 16€ at once. Its pretty neat. It encourages recycling!:)

    EDIT: This is how they look like! I'm glad to read from comments it's a thing in so many more countries! More info: Cans and bottles have different fees. You insert the bottles/cans one by one, bottom first, the machine has to read a certain symbol on the packaging otherwise it wont go in. There is usually a worker on the other side making sure it doesnt overfill. They are fairly clean and there is usually a sink in the room. In the last few years, there have been newer machines where you can just dump your entire bag into the machine and it does the whole sorting on its own. And to those who were interested, I am from Estonia :)

    rarelulu , postiimage Report

    Final score:
    135points
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    #5

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Stroopwafels

    jujubeanieman , Rex Roof Report

    Final score:
    123points
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    He also adds that community engagement definitely exceeded expectations.

    “I come from India but live in the US. I was surprised not to see more mentions of fabric and spices. The bidet was something I expected and was there no doubt,” OP emphasized.
    #6

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Bakfietsen (bikes with a kind of wheelbarrow front for carrying kids or groceries). I’ve seen a few bakfietsen in the states lately which is cool. But without dedicated bike lanes I would guess carrying kids in them would be a terrible idea.

    plumpynutbar , u/youreannie Report

    Final score:
    113points
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    #7

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Bidet. I cannot believe they are not more popular in the US! They can be very inexpensive, and it was a quality of life type change.

    wrighterjw10 , Patrick van IJzendoorn Report

    Final score:
    111points
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    #8

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Meat pies such as Steak and cheese, bacon and egg, classic mince, lamb & mint, potato top. all in lovely pastry served in a white paper bag, gotta love NZ

    Longjumping-Ad-226 , Ruth Ellison Report

    Final score:
    102points
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    Speaking about things shared by community members that could do well in his country, OP noted that he was looking from a US lens. He noticed that a lot of food and beverage concepts will be interesting to test in this market. “They definitely can thrive if segmented, targeted and positioned well,” he shared.

    And what do you think? What products from your home country would you choose to be on this list?
    #9

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Italy. Tapparelle.

    They're essentially roll up plastic blinds for the windows, but instead of simply being curtains they're actually inserted in a crease in the wall, so that no light can pass through when they're down. You can actually easily recognize an Italian home interior if you see a window with a flat vertical rope on one side an a big boxy *thing* at the top.

    How well do they work? When all tapparelle are down, the house is *dark*. Complete, utter darkness. The sun could be shining right against the window, and you wouldn't know. When you wake up, it's like waking up in a void of nothingness. No sign of life, **nothing** outside your walls. It makes for quality sleeping, that's for sure.

    Other perks include: privacy for when you undress and safety against strong winds.

    EDIT: Tapparella fixing tutorial with example (at one point the tapparella is completely down and you can see how no light passes through from outside)

    TinTamarro , gualtiero Report

    Final score:
    100points
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    #10

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide As an American who lived in France for a year in college, I am really surprised that late night European style kebab joints aren't really a thing that has taken off yet here.

    ceejay955 , u/Deslexia Report

    Final score:
    100points
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    #11

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide I wish towel radiators and bidets would catch on more in America

    Middle_Height , jj hwang Report

    Final score:
    77points
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    #12

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Sourdough rye bread. Freshly baked with butter... So good! Great taste, great nution and good for the digestion.

    lavipeDK , Vilnis Husko Report

    Final score:
    72points
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    #13

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Still amazed that my US friends don't regularly use electric tea kettles. My friend was tickled pink that I sent her one for Christmas.

    Nurannoniel , Lisa Fotios Report

    Final score:
    71points
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    #14

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide The pasty.

    As a concept it's food designed to be eaten on the go that's contained and resists dropping the contents all over the floor as you eat it. It's crust can be used to hold the food if you have dirty hands or the contents are hot and the crust can be discarded afterwards guilt free because it's biodegradable.

    Diocletion-Jones , wiki commons Report

    Final score:
    70points
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    #15

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Finland - dish drying cabinet.

    noetkoett , Wikimedia Commons Report

    Final score:
    66points
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    #16

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Pålægschokolade (Denmark) - thin sheets of dark or milk chocolate to eat on your breakfast bun over a thick layer of butter.

    Turbulent-Bar-6103 , u/Stidsholt_Funday Report

    Final score:
    66points
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    #17

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide For the US, biscuits and gravy. Every single person I have introduced to it, fell in love. For whatever reason, I found British people go absolutely bonkers for it. One co-worker in London Skyped with my wife so she could walk him through the gravy.

    Edit: yes, Americans mean something very different by “biscuits” and “gravy”. Also, no they are not scones. Buttermilk biscuits are much softer and richer. I’ve found no exact counterpart in Europe. Sort of between a scone and a croissant.

    My_browsing , u/elundeen Report

    Final score:
    64points
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    #18

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide From India: cardamom. I know the spice is not exclusive to India, but I'm surprised it's not used in more applications. I've had cardamom infused cocktails in the past (mojitos, margs, etc.) and they are absolutely incredible. I'm surprised it hasn't taken off in the world of mixology at the very least.

    vchengap , edenink Report

    Final score:
    63points
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    #19

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Not my home country, but heated vending machines from Japan

    babyfuzzina , DancingBacons Report

    Final score:
    60points
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    #20

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Tablet from Scotland. It's like fudge but more. So much more.

    major_grooves , u/whipped-desserts Report

    Final score:
    59points
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    #21

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Just got back from England. America needs halloumi fries!!

    altimage , u/kayla_mincerepublic Report

    Final score:
    57points
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    #22

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Biltong!

    SilvDeVill , wiki commons Report

    Final score:
    54points
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    #23

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Cream Cheese. I visited a very nice newer all inclusive in Central America. They had bagels but no cream cheese. I inquired if they had some and everyone in the kitchen had never heard of it. As I ate breakfast a manager found me at my table and started asking questions about it. I told him it wasn’t a big deal but he had to know so that they could have it for future guests. I wish I was there to see them taste it.

    GodToldMeToPostThis , Brian Boucheron Report

    Final score:
    51points
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    #24

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide So if you order a whisky in Scotland, if the place is anywhere decent they will give you a wee jug of water so you can add a drop or two to open it up as required. I’ve not had that once anywhere else, and I’ve leaned from experience to explicitly say “no ice” in the US. So, that wee water jug.

    renebelloche , angelsshareglass Report

    Final score:
    49points
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    #25

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide "Hagelslag", chocolate sprinkles that, contrary to the American sprinkles which are just brown sugar, contain a minimum amount of actual chocolate.

    Mortlach78 , Troy Tolley Report

    Final score:
    48points
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    #26

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Tartiflette, and Raclette nights.

    No_Finish_2144 , Johan Simon Seland Report

    Final score:
    46points
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    #27

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Poutine

    Billbapaparazzi , Allison Report

    Final score:
    45points
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    #28

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Irn-Bru (Scotland’s number 1 fizzy drink)

    larrybird977 , Mary Hutchison Report

    Final score:
    38points
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    #29

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Root beer and peanut butter

    PNWSwag , Jorge Franganillo Report

    Final score:
    35points
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    #30

    30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide Old Bay and malt vinegar on French fries, seafood, almost anything. Why only Maryland and Virginia? It’s freaking delicious.

    Loveontherockswithno , OLD BAY® Seasoning Report

    Final score:
    33points
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    Note: this post originally had 42 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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