Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
30 Items That Are Only Popular In Some Countries, Even Though They Should Be Popular Worldwide
Interview With Author
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
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
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.
#2
Toilets with pedals instead of levers so you don’t have to touch anything with your hands
Panda-sized Potato 10 months ago
Auto-flushers exist. If they don't have that, I use my shoes to touch the toilet.
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
The NHS.
Walk into a hospital, get fixed and leave without worrying about paying, I've nothing more to say.
Mabelbabel 10 months ago
I'm a pathologist in the NHS. I know there are a lot of problems with it, and personally I think its being deliberately underfunded in an effort to push a different form of delivering healthcare (virtually every member of the cabinet has financial interests in various private healthcare providers) but it still provides a decent service. We had a toddler whose mother noticed a problem with her eye-the GP saw her that afternoon as an emergency, she saw the local paediatrician later that day, got sent to the regional centre that evening. By the next day, she'd been seen by consultants in paeds, radiology, surgery, oncology and ENT. The next day (Friday) they took a biopsy, the pathology was diagnosed on Saturday and by Sunday she'd started chemo for the tumour. 4 days start to finish, and the parents got free accommodation provided by the hospital for parents of cancer patients. All their travel costs for subsequent treatment were also reimbursed. The only cost to parents-money for food.
#4
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 :)
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
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.
#7
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.
#8
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
Roan The Demon Kitty 10 months ago
...come to the UK, then. If it exists, you can get it in a pie.
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
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)
Ginny 10 months ago
Not only in Italy, they can be found in many countries around the world and can be made of plastic or wood.
LauraDragonWench 10 months ago
Ohh, I so want some of these! My migraine would be so happy with all that darkness. (🎶 Hello darkness my old friend...🎶)
René Sauer 10 months ago
And if you don´t put them down the whole way they have little holes in them to let light in. can be nice, too.
Fire Singer 10 months ago
So jealous of these in the U.S.! I got used to sleeping in pitch black that it's hard for me not to and we just don't have anything like this to fully block out light. We need this!
Jaguarundi 10 months ago
In Florida, these are made of metal and are retractable hurricane/storm shutters.
pineapple87 10 months ago
I had this in Barcelona and it was indeed more effective than any blackout curtains I've ever had. Can't believe these aren't a thing further north so you could block out the midnight sun..
BigCityLady 10 months ago
I would love to have these added into the construction of new US homes. The need of changing window covers from shutters to curtains is an essential component of home ownership. But to have the added benefit of window shades built in that have the potential to block out ALL light is a huge benefit!!! I simply cannot sleep with the slightest bit of sunlight and I would pay very good money to add these into my home.
The Original Bruno 10 months ago
These look very similar to the "roman blinds" i had as a kid in the U.S. many generations ago, except they're more effective because they're built into the wall/window?
Gabriele Alfredo Pini 10 months ago
I prefer gelosie for sentimental reasons, but tapparelle are simpler to use
John Dilligaf 10 months ago
had them in my apartment in Germany, Rolladens. They were made of metal though, so they doubled as security gates when I was away. Loved them. And the German style windows that would swing open into the house for cleaning, or could be tilted inward.
Tyranamar Seuss 10 months ago
I like the black out idea, but these look ugly as sin. And plastic- ugh.
Noname 10 months ago
The 1st time I visited Italy (and europe) and saw these ugly blinds on and in every house, my 1st thought was of fire safety. So, now living in France, and these crappy volet are everywhere because they are cheap, no one has addressed the firehazard they actually present, especially as most apartments only have one point of access-one door by which to escape.
Becky Samuel 10 months ago
I'm interested to know why you think these would present a fire hazard?
Load More Replies... #10
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.
#11
I wish towel radiators and bidets would catch on more in America
Svenne O'Lotta 10 months ago
Towel heaters are an awful waste of energy and most people in my country stopped using them in the 90's
#12
Sourdough rye bread. Freshly baked with butter... So good! Great taste, great nution and good for the digestion.
#13
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.
PhaseWitFact 10 months ago
I'm an American. I have an electric tea kettle. My daughter has one. Everyone I know *who drink tea regularly* has one.
#14
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.
#16
Pålægschokolade (Denmark) - thin sheets of dark or milk chocolate to eat on your breakfast bun over a thick layer of butter.
#17
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.
#18
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.
#19
Not my home country, but heated vending machines from Japan
#20
Tablet from Scotland. It's like fudge but more. So much more.
#21
Just got back from England. America needs halloumi fries!!
#23
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.
#24
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.
#25
"Hagelslag", chocolate sprinkles that, contrary to the American sprinkles which are just brown sugar, contain a minimum amount of actual chocolate.
#28
Irn-Bru (Scotland’s number 1 fizzy drink)
Bernd Herbert 10 months ago
Had my first a few days ago, for the first time in my 45years. Unfortunately not a fan.can’t even describe the taste. Kind of like children’s cough sirup as a fizzy drink
#30
Old Bay and malt vinegar on French fries, seafood, almost anything. Why only Maryland and Virginia? It’s freaking delicious.
What do you think ?
Ima Manimal 10 months ago (edited)
Arepas from Venezuela. OMG so good. I’ve had some in Miami, too. Basically a polenta pancake that you stuff with anything. Pulled pork is awesome. So are eggs and cheese
Jaya 10 months ago
Mojo verde, it's a sauce they eat in Tenerife (and possibly some other places too), it is so delicious, I wish we could buy it in the Netherlands.
Peppy 10 months ago
That stuff is amazing, can’t find it in the uk either
Load More Replies... 
Costco card 10 months ago
I love how this post seemed (to me) to be more of a celebration of different foods and cultures instead of a "blah blah country sucks!" " no blah blah country sucks!" 😁
Paul Scheermeijer 10 months ago
2 wheeler bakfietsen, steering is frontwheel.. just as a normal bike. 3 wheeler (1 rear 2 front) pivots. Mine has a pivot under the "bak" or best translated under the cargo area so the rear end swings to left or right. It's rigid, similar like some bulldozers or heavy machinery steer.
John Harrison 10 months ago
As soon as you click on one of these posts, you can start a stopwatch, and see how long it takes for the obligatory comment of, "American chocolate is DISGUUUUSTING!!!!" True, Hershey's simply does not taste as good as chocolate that I've had from overseas. But it is not disgusting. Calm yourselves, Europeans. 🙄
Malak 10 months ago (edited)
I personally find Hershey a bit disgusting and full of sugar. Just like a ton of crappy brands we also have in Europe. Trust me, you don't want to try these liquor filled 'Mon chéri' chocolates, they make nauseous just thinking about it. If you travel to the USA and buy a 1 dollar hershey bar at the nearest gas station, expecting it to have the taste of a 70% cocoa praliné-café palet breton from 'La maison du chocolat', you're just a moron.
Load More Replies...
Ima Manimal 10 months ago (edited)
Arepas from Venezuela. OMG so good. I’ve had some in Miami, too. Basically a polenta pancake that you stuff with anything. Pulled pork is awesome. So are eggs and cheese
Jaya 10 months ago
Mojo verde, it's a sauce they eat in Tenerife (and possibly some other places too), it is so delicious, I wish we could buy it in the Netherlands.
Peppy 10 months ago
That stuff is amazing, can’t find it in the uk either
Load More Replies... Costco card 10 months ago
I love how this post seemed (to me) to be more of a celebration of different foods and cultures instead of a "blah blah country sucks!" " no blah blah country sucks!" 😁
Paul Scheermeijer 10 months ago
2 wheeler bakfietsen, steering is frontwheel.. just as a normal bike. 3 wheeler (1 rear 2 front) pivots. Mine has a pivot under the "bak" or best translated under the cargo area so the rear end swings to left or right. It's rigid, similar like some bulldozers or heavy machinery steer.
John Harrison 10 months ago
As soon as you click on one of these posts, you can start a stopwatch, and see how long it takes for the obligatory comment of, "American chocolate is DISGUUUUSTING!!!!" True, Hershey's simply does not taste as good as chocolate that I've had from overseas. But it is not disgusting. Calm yourselves, Europeans. 🙄
Malak 10 months ago (edited)
I personally find Hershey a bit disgusting and full of sugar. Just like a ton of crappy brands we also have in Europe. Trust me, you don't want to try these liquor filled 'Mon chéri' chocolates, they make nauseous just thinking about it. If you travel to the USA and buy a 1 dollar hershey bar at the nearest gas station, expecting it to have the taste of a 70% cocoa praliné-café palet breton from 'La maison du chocolat', you're just a moron.
Load More Replies...
Related on Bored Panda
