# "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:** 3
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/41 "2016-08-21T14:57:24Z")
Aussie McD’s sounds intriguing. If every living creature on land and sea wasn’t trying to kill you in Australia I’d definitely want to check that out. You need a CCW just for the spiders. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/42 "2016-08-21T15:02:48Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > It gives an explanation on the original site, but from a user of many types of plug around the world it is far sturdier, individually fused and switched, doesn’t drop or droop out of the socket, inherently safe (you can’t insert it incorrectly) the plate doesn’t allow any thing to be inserted into individual holes. We have plug outlets now that do the same thing. Not too keen on the plug fuse but the coated plug is a good idea. Seems to me they have a better junction box system instead of the wire nut system in the US. I truly despise that. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/43 "2016-08-21T15:33:43Z")
A US electrician I knew told me that wire nuts were only used by amateurs. He used crimped connectors instead. I think the US toilet could be better. I like the Japanese toilet with the built-in bidet, but not the German shelf style. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/44 "2016-08-21T16:07:35Z")
I live in the USA and I can get pretty much anything I want, foodwise, delivered 24/7. There are lots of 24 hour diners with big extensive menus that will deliver anytime and with services like Seamless I don’t even have to pick up a phone. Ditto for taxi and massage services. And I don’t know about BK chili cheese nuggets but their grilled chili cheese hotdogs are an awesome fast food treat. I do wish I could get those delivered 24/7. The all night diners do chili cheese dogs but the hot dogs aren’t fire-grilled. That’s not enough of a disappointment to make me defect, though. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/45 "2016-08-21T16:17:19Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > I live in the USA and I can get pretty much anything I want, foodwise, delivered 24/7. There are lots of 24 hour diners with big extensive menus that will deliver anytime and with services like Seamless I don’t even have to pick up a phone. > > Ditto for taxi and massage services. > > And I don’t know about BK chili cheese nuggets but their grilled chili cheese hotdogs are an awesome fast food treat. I do wish I could get those delivered 24/7. The all night diners do chili cheese dogs but the hot dogs aren’t fire-grilled. That’s not enough of a disappointment to make me defect, though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/46 "2016-08-21T16:22:53Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > A US electrician I knew told me that wire nuts were only used by amateurs. He used crimped connectors instead. > > I think the US toilet could be better. I like the Japanese toilet with the built-in bidet, but not the German shelf style. Crimp connectors make for a better splice, but become a pain in the ass when you have to replace an outlet or light fixture, especially if the installer didn’t leave enough slack to work with. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/47 "2016-08-21T16:55:35Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > A US electrician I knew told me that wire nuts were only used by amateurs. He used crimped connectors instead. They’re not practical and make rewiring a chore. Block connectors would be soooooo much better. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/48 "2016-08-21T17:12:47Z")
I’m not as excited about brie per say but yes on being able to have unpasteurized products like orange juice, milk, and cheeses. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/49 "2016-08-21T21:44:53Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Maybe someone can explain to me what’s so special about a UK electrical plug. I don’t see our plugs as a particularly good reason to ‘defect’ here, but I do think they’re worth explaining: The first thing to consider is that the design was introduced in 1947 - but it was the output of a deliberate, government-commissioned design project to improve safety. Key design features are: [ul] [li]The pins are sized and arranged so that the plug cannot be inserted in any ‘wrong’ configuration such as upside down, or with the earth pin in the live socket hole.[/li][li]The longer earth pin engages to open a shutter covering the live and neutral holes in the socket - so conductive objects cannot be casually inserted in dangerous holes in a vacant socket[/li][li]The internal wiring of the rewirable plugs is such that if the flex is forcibly pulled out, the live wire disconnects first, then neutral, then earth - and (in a properly wired plug) they are different lengths, so the bare wire ends do not touch one another.[/li][li]The plug contains an internal fuse to prevent overloading[/li][li](this part is an amendment added after the original design) the lower parts of the live and neutral pins are insulated so that by the time the pins are connected during insertion, no bare metal part of the pin is still accessible outside[/li][li]All of the screws on the rewirable versions of the plugs are on the face that meets the socket (so you can’t unscrew them to open the plug when it’s plugged in).[/li][li]The cable enters through the bottom of the plug - and the sides are shaped for grip (both of these features are intended to discourage unplugging by pulling the flex)[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/50 "2016-08-22T00:37:27Z")
I’ll add European style windows. For those that don’t know, they can open like a door, hinged on one side, or they can open only at the top about 6", being hinged on the bottom. All in one very cool mechanism. > **[European Windows in USA](https://glowindows.com/european-windows-in-usa/)** > > European Windows in USA add style & function that differ from US Windows. Here's our top 7 window and door styles ordered, plus design features. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/51 "2016-08-22T00:41:03Z")
> [@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. You must not travel off the beaten path much. I am pretty sure there is not a McDonalds in the last 4 countries I was in. Cuba Somaliland Ethiopia Transnistria ---
**Author:** ![albino\_manatee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/albino_manatee/32/2_2.png) [@albino\_manatee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/albino_manatee)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/54 "2020-06-14T13:35:34Z")
i think _“UK-style electrical outlets (and plugs)”_ are cool as hell … but, unlikely to defect just because of this. come 11-03-2020 … life, hopefully, will start returning to normal. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/55 "2020-06-16T02:02:59Z")
I’d like some of the UK electrical wiring products. I’m surprised some of it hasn’t already morphed over to the US. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/56 "2020-06-16T03:37:28Z")
> [@Desert\_Nomad](#): > > You must not travel off the beaten path much. I am pretty sure there is not a McDonalds in the last 4 countries I was in. > > Cuba > Somaliland > Ethiopia > Transnistria I’ve recently been in three of those. Djibouti doesn’t either. In fact, most countries in Africa don’t have one. Technically, the one at Guantanamo is in Cuban sovereign territory ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2020, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/57 "2020-06-16T03:41:26Z")
I’d put Bread on the list. Can’t get decent bread in the US unless you pay designer boutique prices for it. ---
**Author:** ![GMANCANADA](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gmancanada/32/2837_2.png) [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/58 "2020-06-22T10:49:02Z")
I’m amazed by the UK plugs being here and on the original list. As someone who lived in the UK for a period, I found their plugs to be ridiculously over-engineered and clunky. They add a lot of unnecessary cost to consumer goods for no measurable safety benefit. There have been other threads on the degree of safety “over-engineering” in the UK and in spite of what the defensive Brits argued no one could produce any actual hard data that suggested their “super-hyper-extra-mega” safe plug design was safer or worked any better than standard plugs. When I look at them, I see a straight up testament to out of control government bureaucracy. No thanks. ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/59 "2020-06-22T12:33:12Z")
I love how solid the connection is with UK-style plugs. I used to travel internationally a fair amount in the before times, and any time there was a “universal” outlet available (airplanes, airport lounges, newer hotels, etc) I would always use UK adapters for my electrical stuff. No concerns at all about the plug being loose or wobbly. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/60 "2020-06-22T15:04:59Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > The first thing to consider is that the design was introduced in 1947 And the US system was devised over 100 years ago in 1915, and improved thereafter. That’s something that often gets my goat- people bitching about how the US version is SOOO shitty compared to everyone else’s… and not realizing that we broke the ground for the other countries who adopted these things later, and that wholesale conversion to newer standards that are marginally better is very expensive and often unnecessary. I’ll give it to the article that real French Brie (and Camembert) are something I definitely miss about Europe. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/61 "2020-06-22T22:10:06Z")
I like the power plugs. Nothing else excites me. And absinthe positively repels me, but that may just be because I can’t stand the taste or smell of licorice. > [@jtur88](#): > > I’d put Bread on the list. Can’t get decent bread in the US unless you pay designer boutique prices for it. I hear this a lot, but even in our little Montana town (2,300 people) we have a bakery that produces good bread in a variety of styles. It’s not like someone that makes good bread will forget how as soon as they move to the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/15-overseas-only-products-thatll-make-you-want-to-defect-which-do-you-really-want/763154/62 "2020-06-23T12:50:33Z")
I’ll take the french cheese but the rest of the list rates a Meh. The best thing to eat when I was in Australia that I wish came to the US were the sushi roll carts. Handrolls of about 6 different types that were set up in various malls around the East coast it is kind of like the grocery store sushi here but cheaper, higher quality and designed for eating on the go so less messy. [Previous 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) [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=4)