Things you will miss about America when you are...

[Svnla]

abroad.

Here is my list:

1. Strong water pressure.
2. Sit down toilet.
3. Interstate system.
4. Free refill soda at fast food joins and large portions (no go in Asia).
5. 24 hours stores and restaurants.
6. Large groceries with fully stocked goods and good prices (you do not want to know the cost of living in Australia).
7. Taste of soda (Coke in Asia and Australia are not as good, no peppy).

Here is the list from someone else:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/...road_n_5118193.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

 

[shortylickens]

Iceland is better than America in a lot of ways, but there were some little things I missed. Amazon especially.


In oregon almost everything was 24 hours, but in Virginia thats not the case. In fact most of Manassas shuts down by 8pm. I hate it.

 

[gorcorps]

What part of Asia? Asia is massive, and I know for a fact you're wrong about coke in Japan... And the sit down toilet. Our toilets even had electronic bidets that blasted your ass clean at the push of a button.

 

[natto fire]

Never been abroad myself, but then again I don't live in the south so the modern conveniences are not special to me. By the way, Germany has trumped our interstate system, via better materials and better drivers.

If carbonated HFCS water is your idea of America, then congrats!

 

[Svnla]

What part of Asia? Asia is massive, and I know for a fact you're wrong about coke in Japan... And the sit down toilet. Our toilets even had electronic bidets that blasted your ass clean at the push of a button.

Southeast countries and S. Korea plus Japan then Australia.

I tried Coke in Japan and it was not as good as in the States IMO. I did try the cleaning toilet and did not like it. I like to clean myself.

 

[mmntech]

The number one thing I miss the most when I go abroad is my ability to reasonably trust the food and tap water.

I went to Cuba back in March and that's two things you definitely have to watch out for. Then there's the weird communist knockoffs of American brands. Their pop tastes like the worst store brand you can imagine. They also only have two types of beer, which I'm pretty sure is just one type of beer in two different cans.

FWIW, America does not have good Coke. It's the same crap we get here with the HFCS. Mexican Coca-Cola tops it by a long shot since it's made with real sugar. I was heart broken when they discontinued Pepsi Throwback in Canada.

 

[purbeast0]

only country i've been to where i missed stuff back here was nicaragua and only when i was staying at my wife's family's house. i missed hot water initially, but after the first day of it being so hot, i didn't mind taking a cold shower.

i also missed quality food when i was at an all inclusive place in costa rica. we actually left the resort to eat somewhere else because we were sick of the mediocore food.

everywhere else i've been (aruba, cancun, barbados, bahamas) i really didn't miss anything and didn't want to leave.

 

[Mai72]

I was in South Korea for 2 years.

1. Strong water pressure.
-I never had an issue with water pressure. It always flowed freely and the pressure was very strong. I was in a Thai village and even they had strong water pressure.

2. Sit down toilet.
-The sit down toilets have been replaced with western style toilets. You will only see sit down toilets if you go off the beaten path. I've seen a few. I don't use them and wait until I'm in a place that has a western style toilet.

3. Interstate system.
-Both South Korea and Thailand have interstate systems. Do you think that they all have dirt roads?

4. Free refill soda at fast food joins and large portions (no go in Asia).
-This is true. Then again, Asians don't drink the amount of soda that we consume. There isn't demand for free refills. The same for large portions. If I wanted more I would just order more food. It's better if they give you less food. Portion control is key for maintaining your weight.

5. 24 hours stores and restaurants.
-I had a 7-Eleven near me that was open 24/7 I also had Lotte which was also opened 23/7. Lotte is a fast food restaurant.

6. Large groceries with fully stocked goods and good prices (you do not want to know the cost of living in Australia)
-You can most definitely find better items in America. The thing I didn't like in South Korea was the price of fruit. It was so expensive. Australia is expensive.

7. Taste of soda (Coke in Asia and Australia are not as good, no peppy).
-I don't drink soda so I wouldn't know if this is true or not. Why would Coke be less peppy in Asia and Australia?

The one thing I do like in Asia is their transportation system. I didn't have a car and I didn't need one. I took a 10 minute cab ride today in New Jersey. 10 minutes cost me $24 dollars, plus tip. The same ride in South Korea would have cost me $5 max.

 

[norseamd]

5. 24 hours stores and restaurants.

right

like anywhere is open after 10 in america actually more like 9 or if you are lucky 9 30

gas stations are about it

fast food open to 1 pm for some of them

10 pm for most fast food like cipotle or panda express

11 pm for the major fast food

 

[Svnla]

@ Korea74,

I did not stay in Korea and Japan (developed countries) too long but the water pressure was not strong as I have now in the US. Even worse in developing countries in Asia, water pressure and electricity power were not as good.

I was talking about the Western style sit down toilet, can't stand the squat style.

They do have interstate highways but not as wide spread in the whole country as in the US. As in thousands of miles non stop.

The standard size of serving in Asia is about 1/2 as US. The standard cup of soda was about the coffee little cup we have here at Starbucks. I will be back in Japan in a few months and I will take a few pictures of a combo meal from McD.

Likewise the 24 hours stores, they do have 24 hours stores in Asia, but not as widespread as in the US.

Groceries stores are smaller size and have less choices. Fruits are not bad (price) in SE Asia countries but red meat and fresh milk are expensive. Pork are not bad, chicken are cheap.

Coke in Asia and Australia do not have enough carbon gas IMO, therefore, it is not as strong/peppy IMO. To the poster that praised Mexican Coke, I did try it and it was ok (kinda different sweetness) but I still like US Coke better.

 

[DrPizza]

Wife and I went to New Hampshire. As we drove through towns at 9pm, there wasn't even the glow of televisions coming from windows in the houses. We finally found an open gas station at an exit along the interstate. They were about to close. I asked the girl if there was a Denny's around or some other restaurant that was still open. She looked at me like I was from Mars. I tried to explain; she had never heard of such a thing as restaurants that were open 24 hours. Tried to get a hotel room around 11. "Sorry, we're closed." - that was at a Holiday Inn.

 

[who?]

right

like anywhere is open after 10 in america actually more like 9 or if you are lucky 9 30

gas stations are about it

fast food open to 1 pm for some of them

10 pm for most fast food like cipotle or panda express

11 pm for the major fast food

Ihop, Denny's, and the McDonalds drive throughs are open 24 hr.s a day as are the Wal-Mart supercenters which have a supermarket sized grocery section.

 

[norseamd]

Ihop, Denny's, and the McDonalds drive throughs are open 24 hr.s a day as are the Wal-Mart supercenters which have a supermarket sized grocery section.

dennys for sure

our mcdonalds seems to have recently gone all day service

walmart closes at 11 pm

not sure about the supercenters

the target supercenter is open all day i think

 

[cubby1223]

My first trip abroad few years ago had a layover in Dusseldorf, and just watching the people walking by in the terminal - all the men were wearing a scarf, pointed shoes, and crossed their legs tightly like only a woman would in the U.S., and there were a significant enough percentage of women with mustaches. I threw up my arms and said "That's it, I'm done with this country. Time to go home."

Naw, I stayed. The one thing I didn't miss when traveling to German was speaking English Walk right up to anyone anywhere, say "english" then start talking, it was great!

The thing I'll say I "missed" about America while in Germany, was the price of a bottle of Coke... it was twice as expensive as any bottle of beer! What gives? I had to spend the trip drinking beer all the time just to save a few dollars!

 

[norseamd]

This is true. Then again, Asians don't drink the amount of soda that we consume. There isn't demand for free refills. The same for large portions. If I wanted more I would just order more food. It's better if they give you less food. Portion control is key for maintaining your weight.

they also weigh like 50 lbs less than any one else

 

[norseamd]

You can most definitely find better items in America. The thing I didn't like in South Korea was the price of fruit. It was so expensive. Australia is expensive.

what the fuck is with fruit in japan

the need some of the fucking wonderful thai floating markets

all the food there looks so fresh and so amazingly good

 

[norseamd]

The thing I'll say I "missed" about America while in Germany, was the price of a bottle of Coke... it was twice as expensive as any bottle of beer! What gives? I had to spend the trip drinking beer all the time just to save a few dollars!

wtf?

you need to find a fire sir

never can praise god when things are great now can you

 

[Colt45]

There aren't too many things that I feel are better in the US than in Europe, say Germany... Maybe in 1950 but not now.

Steak is definitely one, though.

Stuff is generally cheaper in the US, true. But everything is cheap, too. Houses made out of sticks and paper. American "cheese". GM interiors. The average American lunch"meat", especially the shit they put on pizzas. Water-beer. You have to go out of your way to find quality stuff.

edit: pizza is another one the US does right. At least at a place that uses proper salami instead of neon-orange dyed hotdog meat.

 

[norseamd]

edit: pizza is another one the US does right. At least at a place that uses proper salami instead of neon-orange dyed hotdog meat.

know any good frozen pizzas that do that

 

[JManInPhoenix]

Actually all I ever miss when I travel is my wife & dog.

 

[Exterous]

-Drinking fountains although we're now conditioned to stop by a local grocers and get bottled water*
-Free refills
-Late closing times. I completely why other countries don't do this but we do miss it
-Steak although that is often made up for by much better food in a different category

*Obviously depends on the area if we would even use the drinking fountain

 

[dank69]

I'd miss the fast, cheap broadband.
I'd also miss the high quality, cheap healthcare.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I've spent a total of 8 years living outside U.S. The first thing I think of is missing real heinz ketchup. Not a whole lot else. Sad really

 

[norseamd]

The first thing I think of is missing real heinz ketchup

go to france

they have to ban it in schools and the government and society as a whole is thinking of how to get rid of the americanized influence on food in france

 

[poofyhairguy]

-Cold Beer

-Iced Tea with the aforementioned refills

-24 hour Wal-Mart type stores