# Random “Why don’t we have this in the US” thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 20, 2023, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294 "2023-07-20T09:15:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/181 "2023-07-25T01:50:00Z")
A fine upstanding pup like myself is not in any position to give advice on how to conduct oneself when patronizing dens of iniquity – but my advice to your friend is just based on common sense. Tell your friend not to be cheap, and stick a fiver in there. That way both your friend and the wearer of the G-string will be happy. After all, a dollar is not what it used to be, and that was part of the rationale for the loonie and toonie here in Canuckstan. Ask your friend if he would stick a quarter in someone’s G-string, as if it was a pay telephone. Yet today’s dollar is almost exactly equal to a quarter in 1979, or a mere dime in 1960. So your friend is attempting to foist off on a poor working girl what in Canuckland is essentially loose change. It’s bad enough that he’s a sinful pervert, no need for the added shame of being cheap, too. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/182 "2023-07-25T01:58:09Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > It’s always a matter of debate to me how much the reluctance is real versus feigned. Yes they prefer cash, but how _much_ do they prefer cash? Some folks are pretty shameless in how far they’ll guilt people for relatively negligible benefit to themselves. Others are more evenhanded. At one time, when general-purpose credit cards like VISA and MC were just getting started, card issuers had a strict rule that their cards were to be treated exactly like cash, and in particular, lower prices or some other deal for paying cash was strictly forbidden as a contractual condition. Many years ago some shady store tried to charge me a higher price for using a credit card, and I simply informed the guy that if he did, I’d report it and he’d lose his right to accept the card altogether. He then backtracked and pretended I’d misheard him, and of course he would charge the same price if I used the card, no problem! I’m pretty sure that’s no longer true today, as the cards are so ubiquitous that establishing market share is no longer a concern. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/183 "2023-07-25T02:05:30Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’m still awaiting some more downstanding Canuck stopping by to explain how they do tuck a Looney in a G-string. Asking for a friend near the border. 😉 I’m not from Canada, but I did watch a bunch of Caillou episodes when my kid was a baby, so I’ll take a stab at this: Stick it to ‘em with maple syrup. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/184 "2023-07-25T02:15:21Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > I’m not from Canada, but I did watch a bunch of Caillou episodes when my kid was a baby, so I’ll take a stab I thought this was going to end with you stabbing the next Canadian you met. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/185 "2023-07-25T03:27:08Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > Most, but not all, can accept cards, but they’d really rather have cash. If you don’t have cash they will very reluctantly run your card. Our neighbourhood tavern and neighbourhood diner are cash-only. Both are too small for an ATM, but the diner finally added one. ---
**Author:** ![Digger11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@Digger11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digger11)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/186 "2023-07-25T04:53:14Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > We have plenty of torx and square available and they work great for high torque, impact gun installations. I know there are arguments that Robertson is the best, but I haven’t had issues with the first two I mention so I don’t feel like I’m missing out. All three are way better than any Phillips screw. For most applications, the best screw is the straight-slotted one. It’s immediately obvious on its face how you need to rotate the screwdriver to get it to mate up with the screw. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/187 "2023-07-25T05:44:49Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > > [@Mops](#): > > > > the vendor applies the VAT rate of country B. That is doable because the rate is by country. > > I’m sure it is. But that’s not my question. > > When you go online and look at a website for a product, what product is listed for that product? If you want a 32.4mm widget is the price listed as, say, €12, but when the VAT is added, the total is €13? If it is a B2B website net prices without VAT are listed because for businesses VAT on prices is irrelevant - they pay it on purchase but offset it against VAT on their sales. You will need to prove you are a business (usually by your VAT ID) in ordering from a B2B site, because they can only quote net prices if they do not sell to end consumers (end consumers must always be displayed prices inclusive of VAT.) If it is a B2C website price inclusive of VAT must be quoted. That will be the site’s country’s VAT or the vendor’s country’s VAT if known at this stage (otherwise VAT rate will be adjusted to the customer’s country VAT rate at the stage when the customer logs in to their account, or enters their address, e.g. [amazon.fr](http://amazon.fr) will change VAT rate from 20% to 19% when I order something to Germany. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/188 "2023-07-25T07:23:08Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > For that matter…how do you tuck a Looney in a g-string? I’d tell you but I don’t want to draw a warning. 🙂 > [@LSLGuy](#): > > 100% of my retail purchases are credit card. Me also. The cash back and air miles are totally worth it. > [@wolfpup](#): > > My explanation for this is that it’s an attempt by bank executives to raise my blood pressure in the hope of causing me to have a heart attack, because they hate me. Yes, I heard that about you. Don’t let them get to you! > [@Mops](#): > > When I bought books or other stuff from US retailers they billed me the net price, German customs looked at the invoice included with the parcel and decided whether price+shipping it was below a certain threshold. Clipped off the rest, but this seems like a huge hassle. I’ve had packages from many countries and never heard mention of any problem. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/189 "2023-07-25T11:02:13Z")
I’m not - that’s one of those things where it would be okay if everyone did it but the first businesses to do it look more expensive. Because people absolutely will forget when comparison shopping that one price includes tax and the other doesn’t - I’ve seen it happen with other fees. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/190 "2023-07-25T11:31:34Z")
> [@Digger11](#): > > For most applications, the best screw is the straight-slotted one. Depending on how you define “best”. In my experience, the straight-slotted screw is definitely the “best” for the screwdriver slipping and potentially gouging the screw head, possibly into unusability. Which is why all the other screw types were invented. In my limited experience, Phillips screws are far better because the driver penetrates more deeply and has more points of contact. Robertson screws are reputedly even better, apparently because of their ability to handle more torque. I’ve certainly never had a problem with a Robertson, but I have on occasion managed to strip some of the others, most often the straight-slot. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/191 "2023-07-25T12:52:01Z")
I find that beggars will happily take your coins, but they are usually not so much into card readers and merchant services. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/192 "2023-07-25T12:59:00Z")
Japan had vending machines with drinks everywhere. I loved this. It was 95 degrees every day when I went except for one day when it was 97. I drank so much Pocari Sweat and Lemon Squash for like, 140 or 160 yen. I want this here! But we have to overcharge so much for water here. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/193 "2023-07-25T14:06:54Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > but I’m still awaiting some more downstanding Canuck stopping by to explain how they do tuck a Looney in a G-string. Asking for a friend near the border. 😉 Where I am, a “looney” is a person of intermittent acquaintance with reality. My mind is still somewhat boggling at this question. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/194 "2023-07-25T14:16:36Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > Where I am, a “looney” is a person of intermittent acquaintance with reality. My mind is still somewhat boggling at this question. Yeah, would be hard to put in a g-string. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/195 "2023-07-25T14:17:12Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > Where I am, a “looney” is a person of intermittent acquaintance with reality. My mind is still somewhat boggling at this question. “Loonie” is a nickname for the Canadian one-dollar coin; the nickname comes from the fact that the reverse (back side) of the coin features a loon (a native waterfowl). [![](https://canadiancoinnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/06/loonie.png) ](https://canadiancoinnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/06/loonie.png) The Canadian two-dollar coin is nicknamed a “Toonie” or “Twonie,” a portmanteau of “two” and “loonie.” It has a polar bear on the reverse. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/196 "2023-07-25T14:18:46Z")
Hence the comment that Canada has a coin with a king with a bare behind. ---
**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:** [July 25, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/197 "2023-07-25T14:48:59Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > It’s always a matter of debate to me how much the reluctance is real versus feigned. During the recession, the area where my business is located was hit hard. I began getting way too many NSF checks, but I didn’t take in enough $$$ in checks to make a check guarantee service worthwhile. I stopped taking checks. The county District Attorney stopped by asking that I reconsider. They had a program to try to convince people to make their bounced checks good. Too little too late for me, I still refuse to accept checks. At first I lost some business, as people took their (good&bad) checks to my competition, but withing two months my competitors also stopped accepting checks. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/198 "2023-07-25T17:43:27Z")
Thanks for the explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/199 "2023-07-25T19:24:10Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Roundabouts. Traffic circles. They _are_ starting to catch on in the US Never been to Colorado then. They’ve been there for decades. They used to be all over Texas, but were eliminated over the last 30-40 years due to the number of traffic fatalities they caused. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/200 "2023-07-25T19:26:37Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Yeah, would be hard to put in a g-string. Trust me, they are always accepted north of the border. Normally with a twist. The performer will lick and stick on on a part of their body, and then patrons will attempt to knock it off by tossing their loonies at the performers looney. I didn’t come up with the idea, just have witnessed it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294.md?page=11)