# 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:** 2
**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 20, 2023, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/21 "2023-07-20T15:23:37Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > I think that Europe has shown that the way to replace paper $1 bills with coins is to create a $2 coin. And make both $1 and $2 coins reasonably sized. The U.S. has had a reasonably-sized $1 coin for decades, but it has never caught on, likely for reasons of inertia, as well as, IMO, some Americans feeling that the dollar **bill** is somehow a sacred American thing. As we increasingly move to electronic transactions, it’s becoming less of an issue, though I don’t foresee us going completely cashless any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/22 "2023-07-20T15:28:58Z")
Padded envelopes where it is easy (after use) to separate the plastic from the paper for recycling. I’ve received many padded envelope packages from Europe where the interior plastic bubble wrap is only lightly attached to the outer paper envelope along the long sides, so you can easily separate them. The paper part can go in paper recycling, and the plastic part can go in soft plastic recycling (if you have that) or into landfill. In US padded envelopes the two substances are completely fused together, so the whole thing has to go in landfill. (I also like Amazon’s all-paper padded envelopes and I don’t know why that sort of thing isn’t in wider use.) ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/23 "2023-07-20T15:29:04Z")
I don’t think this is a US only phenomenon. My Subaru has plenty of Phillips fasteners. Same for a lot of the Chinese manufactured stuff. Hex is very common for a lot of “you assemble” flat pack furniture, but you still get some Phillips mixed in there (or, if you have some meatball store furniture, you might need a Pozidriv). ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/24 "2023-07-20T15:31:43Z")
Amazon announced today, they will end the plastic mailers and use only the paper padded going forward. Not sure of the timing on it. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/25 "2023-07-20T15:32:44Z")
Electric showers. Experienced this in a BnB in Ireland, and it was amazing. And no, the electrical bit isn’t inside the shower stall with you. And i don’t think they heat freezing cold water to temp, but they can get it to at least luke warm if the big tank runs out. The main job though is they add water pressure. You can set dials on this thing as to the temperature and pressure you prefer and it will blast away until you are done. It actually makes showering much faster - especially rinsing your hair. A real gem, and we need them in the US! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/26 "2023-07-20T15:38:55Z")
As I recall, the dollar coins were often mistaken for .50 pieces. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/27 "2023-07-20T15:50:37Z")
> [@74westy](#): > > [Robertson screws](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robertson_screw). Robertson has been the standard in travel trailer and motor home construction for years. I recently did some remodeling on my travel trailer, I used nothing but Robertson screws to keep everything the same. They were pricy though, a box of 100 1" wood screws was almost $30, I could have bought a box of 500 Phillips screws for half that price. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/28 "2023-07-20T15:53:37Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > As I recall, the dollar coins were often mistaken for .50 pieces. The first modern version (the Susan B Anthony coins) were similar in size and color to quarter, and were often mistaken for those. This was later corrected by changing the color of the Sacagawea coins to a brass finish. ---
**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 20, 2023, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/29 "2023-07-20T15:54:29Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > As I recall, the dollar coins were often mistaken for .50 pieces. The big old ones might have been; the newer ones are closer in size to a quarter, but are gold-toned, to help differentiate them. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/30 "2023-07-20T17:52:26Z")
Bart: What is that, a quarter? Milhouse: A Chuck E. Cheese token? Marge: No, it’s a Susan B. Anthony dollar. You can take it to a bank and trade it in for a real dollar! ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/31 "2023-07-20T18:17:18Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > The U.S. has had a reasonably-sized $1 coin for decades, but it has never caught on, likely for reasons of inertia, as well as, IMO, some Americans feeling that the dollar **bill** is somehow a sacred American thing. More likely because they are heavier. Doesn’t matter so much with one, but when you have numerous ones in your wallet, it adds up. I have to empty change every from my changepurse every so often for just that reason. Never had any desire to do the same with bills, as they are lighter. Bigger denominations, of course, make a difference, so you wouldn’t have any many of those as smaller denomination coins, most likely. And some people keep bills in their pockets, billfolds, or money clips, but don’t keep coins (emptying them into a container to never use again each evening). ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/32 "2023-07-20T18:27:56Z")
> [@Tzigone](#): > > And some people keep bills in their pockets, billfolds, or money clips, but don’t keep coins (emptying them into a container to never use again each evening). One of the reasons people empty their change is that these days, change is largely useless. But dollar coins are worth enough to be useful, particularly for vending machines and the like. How much effort has been wasted by millions of Americans trying to get machines to accept wrinkled dollar bills? Coins just work. Carrying ten loonies isn’t all that difficult, and yet, that’s enough to buy several items from the typical vending machine, or to pay for a couple of hours of parking, and the like. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/33 "2023-07-20T18:28:41Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > > [@DCnDC](#): > > > > At restaurants they bring the payment processing to you, right at the table. Your card is never out of your sight/possession. It’s the standard across most of Europe IME. I’ve never seen this in America. > > It happens all over America now. Probably 2/3rds of the restaurant tabs I pay are via the mobile gizmo the server carries in their apron & hands to me to tip & pay. And I buy a LOT of restaurant meals in a lot of different cities. > > But yes, the USA is a decade or two behind the rest of the world in this. I have seen it around here but it’s not nearly 2/3rds. At best it’s 1/3. ---
**Author:** ![KMS94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ad7895/32.png) [@KMS94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KMS94)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/34 "2023-07-20T18:30:01Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > I don’t think this is a US only phenomenon. My Subaru has plenty of Phillips fasteners. I believe Subaru, like most Japanese manufacturers, use JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) fasteners, not Phillips. They look about the same, but if you buy a set of JIS screwdrivers, they work much better when working on Japanese cars and motorcycles. Less tendency for the driver to cam out from the fastener under torque. > **[Tech Q&A: JIS vs. Philips Head Screws | Rider Magazine](https://ridermagazine.com/2019/03/26/tech-qa-jis-vs-philips-head-screws/)** > > What's the difference between a JIS and a Philips head screw? They look almost identical. We show you how to tell the difference here. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/35 "2023-07-20T19:00:29Z")
Yes, I’ve used similar folders for 8.5x11 sheets for years; I’ve bought them at Staples, but better quality ones can also be found. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/36 "2023-07-20T19:03:30Z")
It is hard in some places to find vending machines that take coins or bills instead of debit or credit cards. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/37 "2023-07-20T19:35:42Z")
This was apparently more of a local town thing than a Japanese thing, but I paid for my trash pick-up by paying for the bags. The more trash I had, the more/bigger bags I used, which cost me more. They also had color-coded bags for recycling - silver bags for aluminum,etc. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/38 "2023-07-20T19:51:06Z")
I should’ve specified “phillips like” or cross-head screws. Pozidriv, JIS, Phillips…all similar. Philips being the worst of the bunch. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/39 "2023-07-20T20:09:38Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > these days, change is largely useless. > > But dollar coins are worth enough to be useful I suspect it’s precisely because “change is largely useless” that Americans have been conditioned not to believe dollar coins are useful. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294/40 "2023-07-20T20:15:15Z")
For the life of me I don’t get the desire for dollar coins. Heavy, awkward and inconvenient. I barely use cash at this point. Who wants 4 dollar coins in their pocket. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-why-don-t-we-have-this-in-the-us-thread/987294.md?page=3)