# "15 Overseas-Only Products That'll Make You Want To Defect"; which do you really want? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 18, 2016, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154 "2016-08-18T06:00:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/1 "2016-08-18T06:00:56Z")
[Cracked.com](http://Cracked.com) Photoplasty article: [15 Overseas-Only Products That’ll Make You Want To Defect](http://www.cracked.com/photoplasty_2227_15-products-you-miss-out-by-living-in-usa/). I’ll list them all (and comment in a subsequent post): 1. UK-style electrical outlets 2. Kaya 3. 24-hour fast food delivery 4. Australian McDonald’s stuff 5. Taxi/delivery/house cleaning/beautician/masseuse service 6. Japanese-style toilets 7. Free WiFi for everyone in the country 8. Absinthe 9. Indian McDonald’s stuff 10. Kotatsu 11. Vending machines that sell liquor 12. Filipino McDonald’s stuff 13. Pepsi Blue 14. Real French Brie 15. Burger King’s Chili Cheese Nuggets ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/2 "2016-08-18T06:17:44Z")
I like UK-style electrical outlets and plugs. They are safer and better constructed than the PBG outlets and plugs we use in the US. I don’t think I want to defect, but I do think they are a better idea than our current choice. (;):p) Free WiFi is a no-brainer in my opinion. It would improve everyone’s life, IMO. I don’t drink but I think being able to get real absinthe would totally fucking rock. The Indian McDonald’s stuff sounded like awesomeness on top of deliciousness. As a vegetarian I would LOVE to have these available at every freaking McD’s drive thru. Vending machines that sell liquor? [Hell, let’s not go half-assed on this one](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpDdUAdfI5c). Burger King’s Chili Cheese Nuggets sound like something that would trigger a massive mouthgasm (and perhaps a massive heart attack, eventually). For now, I rely on Del Taco’s (occasionally available) Cheddar Potato Poppers. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/3 "2016-08-18T07:00:11Z")
Definitely 24-hour fast food delivery. I’m a night owl. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/4 "2016-08-18T07:09:32Z")
Thujone’s effects are basically a myth, and Estonia has a high penetration rate (which is what I think that one is implying) but it is also 0.5% the size of the US and has 0.4% of the population so that is a bit more practical. What are you going to put hotspots in every North Dakota town? Some US sports stadiums have beer vending machines. They use preloaded cards. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/5 "2016-08-18T07:16:19Z")
Eh, if I want to make sure my Brie speaks French, I can go to Carrefour or hop across the border. I did like that UK plugs have their own switch, but it turns out they also have individual fuses and their equivalent local version costs 4x as much as a regular one. I couldn’t be arsed pay for that, I’m not going to be moving for it. Absinthe we’ve got. Haven’t tried it, not planning on it. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/6 "2016-08-18T07:19:13Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > What are you going to put hotspots in every North Dakota town? Why not? Wiring every town in North Dakota for electricity and phone service was even more of a chore, but it happened. ---
**Author:** ![Annoying\_Buzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Annoying\_Buzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoying_Buzz)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/7 "2016-08-18T08:57:20Z")
I consider toilets a big drawback when traveling to US or Europe. If I ever leave Japan for good, I’m taking a washlet with me. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/8 "2016-08-18T09:52:23Z")
None of those. ---
**Author:** ![Lars\_Aruns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Lars\_Aruns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lars_Aruns)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/9 "2016-08-18T10:50:56Z")
> [@Annoying\_Buzz](#): > > I consider toilets a big drawback when traveling to US or Europe. If I ever leave Japan for good, I’m taking a washlet with me. Or move to Italy. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/10 "2016-08-18T11:05:37Z")
I voted for Kaya and Japanese-style toilets. I think the built-in bidet should be a compulsory element on all toilets, anywhere in the world. I was in Turkey a few weeks ago and their toilets have these little straight faucets at the back, just below the rim. I love them. Not to insist too much but I feel much fresher after using them. The other features, I don’t care much about but they’d be a nice bonus. And kaya sounds reaaaaally yummy. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/11 "2016-08-18T11:06:44Z")
I’ve had real French Brie and it was marvelousness. They tend to go the extra mile in most of their food/drink as well. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/12 "2016-08-18T11:38:05Z")
> [@Annoying\_Buzz](#): > > I consider toilets a big drawback when traveling to US or Europe. If I ever leave Japan for good, I’m taking a washlet with me. No need, you can purchase one in other countries as well. They’re not popular but they are available. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/13 "2016-08-18T11:44:54Z")
I’m not overly excited about anything on the list except maybe absinthe and Japanese toilets. Oh, and I’ll defect to Australia any time, kangaroo McNuggets or not. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/14 "2016-08-18T12:03:58Z")
I picked a couple (absinthe, UK outlets, 24 hour fast food) but the leader of my list is vending machine booze. The universe really needs that one. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/15 "2016-08-18T12:08:13Z")
If 1/3 of the things worth living in other countries for revolve around regional McDonald’s offerings, we live in a sad, sad, sad, sad world. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/16 "2016-08-18T12:53:18Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > If 1/3 of the things worth living in other countries for revolve around regional McDonald’s offerings, we live in a sad, sad, sad, sad world. Yep. I’ve travelled the globe a bit and I’ve seen McDonald’s everywhere. Never set foot in a McDonald’s outside the US, though. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/17 "2016-08-18T12:55:55Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > If 1/3 of the things worth living in other countries for revolve around regional McDonald’s offerings, we live in a sad, sad, sad, sad world. I noticed a similar sentiment expressed in the “does globalization make travel boring?” thread. Apparently, some people’s idea of “foreign and exotic” is finding slightly different menu items at the local McDonald’s. It’s a bit strange to me. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/18 "2016-08-18T13:16:24Z")
I picked brie just 'cause and wifi though I rarely have trouble finding an available hotspot anyway (and have the phone’s data in those events). McDonald’s is McDonald’s. I mean, they can throw an egg on one of their “premium” burgers here and it’s still going to be McDonald’s. “Frozen vegan corn patty” ranks just above “food poisoning” on the list of things I want to get from a McDonald’s. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/19 "2016-08-18T13:46:07Z")
The “winner” - Chili Cheese Nuggets - are actually pretty common around here. OK, maybe not the Burger King version, but I’d be willing to be the breaded-and-deep-fried Wisconsin cheese curds that seem to be on half the menus around town are better than the BK version. They typically come with a semi-spicy dipping sauce, so I’m calling them similar enough. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/20 "2016-08-18T16:54:44Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Yep. I’ve travelled the globe a bit and I’ve seen McDonald’s everywhere. Never set foot in a McDonald’s outside the US, though. I used the bathroom in one in Germany. As to everything else? Meh. Free wifi of course. Shit, I’d just like ANY kind of decent internet at my house. If French brie is really that good, sure, I love cheese. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154.md?page=2)