“When I was abroad, I saw them on pretty much every city block. I would love to have the same thing here in the US.”
Whenever you visit a new place, there are likely to be aspects of daily life that feel totally new—and personally, I love discovering international habits or customs that I wish I could adopt back home.
Redditor u/danielgmal recently asked: **”What did you experience in another country that you wish you could make a part of your regular life?”** Here’s what people had to say:
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### 1. The Relaxed French Café Culture
*“I loved just sitting at an outdoor cafe in France, people-watching while drinking my espresso with zero sense of rush.”*
### 2. Portugal’s Miradors
*“In Lisbon and Madeira, I found lots of miradors—little shaded courtyard areas with toilets and snacks at the best views of the city. They’re genius! I wish every city would have these beautiful lookouts.”*
### 3. Italy’s Passeggiata Tradition
*“In Italy, the passeggiata—a leisurely stroll through town before or after dinner to catch up with neighbors and friends—is such a charming tradition.”*
### 4. Japanese Menus With Photos
*“Restaurants in Japan often show photos alongside menu items, making it so much easier to decide what to order!”*
### 5. Verdulerías in Buenos Aires
*“On nearly every street corner in Buenos Aires, there are little fruit and vegetable shops called Verdulerías. They’re super convenient—I wish we had that everywhere in the US.”*
### 6. Round Tables with Lazy Susans in China
*“Almost every restaurant in China has round tables with lazy Susans, which makes sharing food and conversations much more engaging. It made me realize how awkward it is sitting at the corner of a rectangular table back home.”*
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**What’s something you experienced abroad that you wish your home country had? Let us know in the comments! 👀**
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### 7. Clean and Respected Schools in Japan
*“I love how seriously Japanese schools treat cleanliness and respect. I wish my children’s schools would hold students accountable for keeping their learning spaces tidy.”*
### 8. Outdoor Dining in Italy
*“Eating outside everywhere in Italy made each meal feel relaxed and special. We even bought a porch dining set as soon as we got home. I wish outdoor dining was more widely available back home.”*
### 9. Focused Dining Experiences in Japan
*“Japanese restaurants often focus on perfecting one type of food—ramen, tempura, sushi, and more. It makes dining more unique compared to the eclectic menus we often see in the US.”*
### 10. Late Dinners in Spain
*“I grew to love dining late in Spain, around 9 p.m. It makes the day feel longer and more leisurely. My husband and I have adopted this habit back in NYC.”*
### 11. Complimentary Biscuits in European Cafés
*“Many European cafes serve a little biscuit or cookie with your coffee. It’s a delightful tradition that I wish every café in the world would adopt.”*
### 12. Italian Aperitivo (Happy Hour)
*“In Italy, we enjoyed happy hour every afternoon with wine, cheese, and cold cuts. It was a perfect way to relax after sightseeing before dinner. I could definitely get used to this!”*
### 13. Efficient Public Transportation in Europe
*“The Tube in London impressed me the most on my first visit, and since then, I’ve admired how easy it is to get around most European cities by public transport. I wish we had that kind of accessibility at home.”*
### 14. Southeast Asian Street Food and Hawker Stalls
*“I loved the availability of cheap, clean, and tasty street food in Southeast Asia. After work, being able to grab dishes like pad Thai or laksa without cooking sounds amazing!”*
### 15. Table Service Buttons in Japan
*“In many Japanese restaurants, you can press a button at your table when you want the server’s attention. It’s great because they don’t bother you when you’re not ready, but respond quickly when you need something.”*
### 16. Taiwanese 7-Elevens
*“Taiwan’s 7-Eleven stores offer a massive selection of food, freshly brewed coffee, bill payments, and even postage all in one place. I truly miss having these around.”*
### 17. Car-Free Pedestrian Zones in Italian Cities
*“Many Italian cities feature large pedestrian zones free of cars. Sitting outside a café without street noise really enhances the ambiance.”*
### 18. Tapas with Drinks in Southern Spain
*“In many bars in Southern Spain, ordering a cocktail comes with complimentary tapas. It’s such a lovely custom to enjoy little snacks while you drink.”*
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**What daily norm, interesting custom, or unique tradition have you come across abroad that you wish would become popular in your home country? Share your thoughts in the comments below!**
https://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahloewentheil/travelers-share-favorite-customs-abroad-fs
