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The United States and European countries sometimes feel worlds apart. And it’s a natural thing for different nations to develop unique cultures, systems, and institutions. But once you start traveling a bit more broadly, you start comparing your destinations. Each place has its upsides and downsides, but the differences can be striking at times.

Redditor u/TREE__FR0G, an aspiring herpetologist, asked people to share the things that are completely normal in most places in Europe but would seem very strange to someone living in the US. Scroll down to see what the internet thinks are the biggest differences between Europe and the US.

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#1

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Providing healthcare to sick people without bankrupting them.

EXXPat , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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Karmageddon
Karmageddon
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If anyone tells you how difficult Universal Health Care is to do, remind them that only 35/36 of the largest economies can make it work.

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#2

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Prices already includes taxes

Badass-19 , Ron Lach Report

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Jane No Dough
Jane No Dough
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Should be this way everywhere, so no one's surprised by the full cost. I know what is taxable and how much tax where I live, but not where I travel.

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#3

Nudeness.

No, we don't all walk around naked all day.

Yes, we have nude beaches. Yes, on most regular lakes where people go swimming, you most likely see their little kids running around nekkid. Yes, most saunas are "nude only". Yes, you see boobs, a*s and penis on TV (like, if there's a movie and the situation "demands" it). Yes, we have sex education where they use books with images of naked humans in school.

It's just a body. And no, nude doesn't mean "sex!!1!".

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A major peculiar aspect of life in the States is the existing tipping culture. As we’ve explained on Bored Panda recently, one of the issues with the way the culture exists in its current form is that it tricks some consumers into paying more than they planned to. In essence, Americans are falling victim to tip inflation or tipflation.

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As a result, some customers might decide to boycott some chains or local restaurants, preferring to go elsewhere, where they feel less pressure to tip extremely generously. If tipping is mandatory, it’s not really tipping, now is it? It’s just a hidden tax—one that might not be reflected in the menu.
#4

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet I’m a project manager in the US and it baffles me that my European team gets an entire month off in the summer.

I’m over here saving my vacation days incase I get sick.

smileysarah267 , Mateusz Dach Report

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#5

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet dd/mm/yyyy

whiskeyman220 , Ketut Subiyanto Report

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SingingCatMom
SingingCatMom
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SO sensible and completely logical. Also, meters, kilometers, degrees Celcius. It is just plain stupid that the US clings to imperial when nearly all the rest of the world is on metric!

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#6

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Bathroom doors with no gaps

P1nk_barbie , Max Rahubovskiy Report

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YoKon93
YoKon93
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is weird is naming a room without a bath, a bathroom. That's not standard in Europe.

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Another big issue for many Americans living in the US is the abhorrent healthcare system. It’s not just a question of opinion, though. The system is very inefficient, incredibly expensive, and markedly worse than in other developed nations. It’s a major issue that ought to be solved.

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation explains how the US spends more on healthcare per person than other wealthy countries around the world. This came to an average of $12,555 per person in 2022, the highest among developed nations. The second-highest spending was recorded in Switzerland, standing at $8,049 per person. Now compare that to the average for OECD countries (excluding the US) which is $6,414 per capita. 
#7

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Decent public transportation.

Milnoc , Guvluck Report

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#8

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Tips are optional

OldandBoldDude , Iain Farrell Report

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Ruth
Ruth
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tips in the USA have gotten way out of hand. Even if you are picking up carry out, many places still expect you to tip.

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#9

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Walkable cities

TenNinetythree , Zen Chung Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Portland, Oregon, Boston Massachusetts, New York City. There are a few who have it figured out. The rest of the country is living in the dark ages if Mid 20th century car centered life.

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Meanwhile, Germany spent $8,011 per person on healthcare in 2022. The Netherlands spent $7,358, Belgium clocked in at $6,600, France stood at $6,517, and Sweden shelled out $6,438 per person. Ireland spent $6,047, slightly below the OECD average. As did the United Kingdom ($5,493 per person) and Italy (merely $4,291 per person).

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All in all, healthcare prices in the US are roughly twice as big as the average. However, this does not mean that Americans get healthcare that is ‘twice as good.’ There’s an issue with how these funds are utilized. For one, there’s a lack of competition between hospitals, which has led to administrative waste and inefficiencies in the entire system.
#10

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet taking an ambulance without a worry in the world

ShadowLancer128 , Artem Saranin Report

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Sven Grammersdorf
Sven Grammersdorf
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm pretty sure anyone taking an ambulance ride has at least one thing to be worried about

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#11

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Online bank transfers. Americans get all excited over stuff like Venmo but I can send money to anyone via my online banking app for free.

mamamia1001 , Anete Lusina Report

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#12

Cashiers having chairs

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Turnip and a Frog
Turnip and a Frog
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cashiers in the US stand all day? I had no idea. What do the trade unions have to say about this?

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“The United States spends over $900 per person on administrative costs—four times more than the average of other wealthy countries and about the same as we spend on preventive or long-term healthcare,” the Foundation notes.

Furthermore, the American healthcare system leads to worse health outcomes (e.g. life expectancy, unmanaged diabetes) than in other wealthy countries.
#13

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Universal heath care and free college.

Makarov762 , Pixabay Report

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#14

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet 6 weeks vacation 

nomadProgrammer , Vincent Gerbouin Report

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Show Thyself
Show Thyself
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay - it should say "Up to" etc. - the timeframe differs greatly between the regions, thee workplaces, the disablement status, the age, the experience, the time of your employment....

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#15

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet The hugest mindf**k for me is the maternity leave. An entire, paid year?! I get that they can channel more money into that stuff since the US has military needs paid for, but that’s still pretty impressive.

DogsArePrettyCool4 , Kristina Paukshtite Report

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OhnoI’vebeencensored
OhnoI’vebeencensored
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The issue isn’t the US’s military budget, although this is higher than is typical in Europe. The issue is that US government is hamstrung by ‘conservatives’ who are simply misogynists who won’t recognise that maternity leave is hugely beneficial for mother and child, and that supporting mothers results in better long-term economic outcomes.

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#16

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Go to the grocery store on your bicycle.

Walking from shop to shop in the city centre.

GreenButterfly1234 , Salo Al Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Portland, Oregon and haven't driven a car in almost 20 years. I have a dedicated shopping bike I use one a week and all winter. It's the bike with fenders. I can carry two shopping bags home at a time and that's how I control my spending.

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#17

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Taking your own shopping bag(s) to the supermarket.

Totally normalized in all European countries as far as I know. Or buy a (firm) shopping bag at the store if you don't have one with you.

All those plastic bags in US stores, so small that it can only hold two cans of milk so you see customers with a dozen plastic bags for their groceries.. unthinkable in Europe.

Shrooma111 , Laura James Report

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Ruth
Ruth
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many people in the USA take their own bags to the grocery store also.

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#18

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Not wearing shoes in our homes.

carlamaco , Mikhail Nilov Report

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Sea Squirrel
Sea Squirrel
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm from the Netherlands and most people I know don't mind if you wear shoes in their homes. It's a personal choice, not a cultural thing.

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#19

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Mayo with french fries.

I’m in the US but have cousins in Holland. They introduced me to to this years ago and it’s pretty awesome.

Robhow , Gustav Lundborg Report

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#20

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Coalition governments

MistaLuvcraft , Ricky Esquivel Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES!!! Seriously I am so sick of a two party system! Democrats and Republicans BOTH suck! How did we get stuck with this BS?

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#21

Work Life Balance

Going to Europe and then coming back to Texas and visiting our corporate offices in Dublin, London, Paris.

Yes the European working hours are different. But it seems there’s more of a balance and respect for personal time and medical time or absence. Vs in America working yourself to the bone.

Also the absence of Tipping, and availability of metro and being able to conveniently walk where you need to get to. 1 mile in Europe feels shorter than the 1 mile walk in USA hahaha sidewalk availability and lack of parks to cut through etc.

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YoKon93
YoKon93
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is very noticeable. Most Europeans have a far greater respect of the life part of the Work Life balance, and so this is seen reflected in cultural norms and often laws. (For example, try to go shopping in Germany on a Sunday or see the consequences of non-emergency work-related 'phone calls outside standard office hours.)

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#22

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet trains

Complete_Spot3771 , Laura Meinhardt Report

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Chris D'Asta
Chris D'Asta
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have trains. Yeah, this country is backward as f**k but we have goddamned trains.

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#23

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet The right to roam.

It's glorious to be able to hike across private land when you grow up used to signs saying "Trespassers will be shot."

suzycreamcheese260 , Gagaz Adam Report

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#24

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Unlocked phones.

When I lived in the US it was hard for me to get around the idea that I couldn't use the phone that I bought with AT&T with a SIM card from T-Mobile. In Europe I interchange my SIM cards with zero problems. I can even change my provider and keep the same number and of course the same phone.

TravellingBelgian , Tim Samuel Report

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#25

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Legally enshrined right to online privacy

Quegyboe , Mikhail Nilov Report

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LillieMean
LillieMean
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm curious how this differs from eu legislation. For example, the app store must clearly state how data is collected and how it is used. Sites can be prohibited from collecting data and the use of cookies can be adjusted manually. Apps can be denied access to, for example, the camera, messages or gallery if you want.

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#26

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Roundabouts. They're like the rotary phones of the road - Americans look at them in utter confusion and wonder where to dial.

phamkethanh , Kelly Report

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Ruth
Ruth
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Roundabouts are becoming far more common in the USA.

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#27

Biking, public transportation, walking in the city, basically not living life centered around driving a car.

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Sven Grammersdorf
Sven Grammersdorf
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The United States has an extremely low population density. When you live 25 miles from the nearest Walmart and there's nothing in between except corn and soybean fields, you need a car.

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#28

Police treating civilians with respect

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moggie63
moggie63
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a video currently doing the rounds on YouTube about UK police arresting an autistic teenager, respect is the last thing being shown.

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#29

Mandatory recycling

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#30

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Kinder Eggs

NickJsy , Alina Komarevska Report

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#31

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet E-government, being able to do 99% of the things needed online.

Xtasy0178 , Los Muertos Crew Report

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Bored Templar
Bored Templar
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is also not true. It depends on the country. Some countries in Europe are still very, very bureaucratic

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#32

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet More people are day drinking in Europe than I have ever seen in America.

CamilaHelena , Ron Lach Report

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Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please come visit us on the West Coast. Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and LA know how to day drink.

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#33

Actually decent urban planning.

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#34

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Inter country travel. I don't even live on the main European land mass. I live on a European island. But I can fly to most European countries in under four hours. And it's not a million euro to do so.

Low_Engineering8921 , Pixabay Report

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#35

Having your washing machine in your kitchen.

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Gustav Gallifrey
Gustav Gallifrey
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

European houses are small, often no room to incorporate separate laundry room.

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#36

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Paying to use a toilet.

Yak-5000 , Ondosan Sinaga Report

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Sven Grammersdorf
Sven Grammersdorf
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"The Committee to End Pay Toilets in America, or CEPTIA, was a 1970s grass-roots political organization which was one of the main forces behind the elimination of pay toilets in many American cities and states." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_to_End_Pay_Toilets_in_America

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#37

40 Normalized Things In Europe That Are Unknown In The US, According To The Internet Well, in some countries, having a monarchy (UK, Denmark + the Faroe Islands, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Leichtenstein, Monaco, technically also Andorra and Vatican City) or even a quasi-monarchy (Romania, Serbia, where the monarchies have a sort-of-official role while still being a Republic).

Also, having a religion tax (which you can opt out of if you formally leave the Church or other religious organisation if there's an option for it to go to a non-Christian one), in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Spain (as a choice of where your tax goes, doesn't change the overall amount) and some cantons of Switzerland. And having a particular state or established Church (England, Scotland, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Iceland) or national/"people's" Church (Sweden, Norway).

palishkoto , JR Bradbury Report

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VM37
VM37
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Serbia doesn't have a monarch. They do have members if the ex Royal family (Karađorđevići). But they have no power or status. They are in exile so to speak

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#38

Electric kettles.

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PlatinumThe8-BitCat
PlatinumThe8-BitCat
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, I’ve seen a lot of electric kettles in the Us, I even have one

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#39

being able to tilt open your windows

in usa your windows only open like doors, i couldnt imagibe living in a house lacking such basic features as tilting open the top of the window

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#40

Not really an unknown concept but letting cats go outside and roam around. It's just the norm in the UK.

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SingingCatMom
SingingCatMom
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A majority of veterinarians in the UK now recommend keeping cats indoors. Also,the UK does not have coyotes...who would just as soon kill your cat than look at it.

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