9 Basic Things Other Countries Do Better Than America

Have you ever idly scrolled through your newsfeed and stopped at a headline that sent your eyebrows skyward? Like that moment when you discover that there are quaint little nations that offer their citizens life’s luxuries without breaking a sweat while you’re just down the road questioning your rocketing healthcare bills?

If you’ve not had that pleasure yet, indulge in every American’s favorite pastime—comparing ourselves to the rest of the world! Spoiler alert: the results are intriguing, to say the least. It’s not about bashing the good ol’ U.S. of A. No, siree. It’s about understanding the spectrum of choices that different countries make when it comes to free-range living.

As citizens, knowing these variations isn’t just about being an armchair pundit; it’s about appreciating the diverse tapestry of our international community and maybe even borrowing a few tricks for our national playbook.

1. Freedom of Healthcare

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Cut to a scene in the emergency room, and the dollar signs are nearly audible. But across the border in Canada, crickets. They’ve got a universal healthcare system, A.K.A the ultimate white knight for medical mayhem.

It’s not because they’ve kidnapped all the doctors. No, it’s just a system that believes staying alive shouldn’t involve considering a loan. Talk about living on the edge of our seats, quite literally.

2. Work-Life Balance

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If the U.S. workweek were a person, it would be that well-meaning friend who overpromises and under-delivers consistently. But hop on a plane to the Netherlands, and you’re chancing upon a 4-day workweek.

How is this alchemy possible, you ask? Efficient workdays that are shorter, where naps are not a sign of laziness but of precious rejuvenation. Is there room for a third musketeer in Dutch office life?

3. Education Accessibility

Borrowing $100,000 just for a seat in the hallowed halls of academia is a uniquely American struggle.

Meanwhile, Germany’s classrooms echo with the sound of delighted students—whose tuition fees are as mythical as unicorns (meaning, they don’t exist). With an education so close-knit, it’s no surprise that those numbers and problem-solving skills look all the brighter.

4. Parental Leave Policies

The land of the free provides a scenic route to parental benefits. This is a stark contrast to Sweden’s utopia, where parents dance merrily into their leave like it’s a gender-neutral party. The European Commission affirms that the parental benefit amounts to 240 days per parent, totaling 480 days, and can be divided as desired between the parents.

It’s a policy that benefits the children and the parents’ sanity and adds a dash of equality to the mix. But hey, sometimes taking leaps forward can be like arm-wrestling a bulldozer—harrowing but heroic in its unique way.

5. Political System Diversity

The U.S. and its two-party system are like a dyed-in-the-wool classic car—adorned with pride but occasionally sputtering along while the shiny new models zip past.

It’s all about that political mosaic in the UK, with more pieces to reflect the populace. It sure makes for a colorful political landscape. Maybe it’s time to shop on the UK’s lot for a different ride?

6. Cultural Preservation

The U.S. is a country packed like a lunch for diversity, but cultural preservation might sometimes feel like a game of Jenga where the first tower block nerves take the pan flutes with them.

In Italy, however, culture isn’t just a thing of the past—it’s current and a museum to be respected, and Romans have its fountains in the best ways possible.

7. Environmental Policies

You don’t need to be a regular David Attenborough to see that environmental policies are the guardians of the planet.

While the U.S. is working on its green thumb, Costa Rica’s been practicing ecosocialism like a bonsai tree—all the commitment to growth and none of the ominous global shadow. Pura Vida, earthlings!

8. Freedom of Speech

The First Amendment has its eyes on the prize regarding freedom of speech in the U.S. However, in Norway’s dignified, fjord-scraped land, freedom of speech is an art they’ve mastered like Munch’s ‘The Scream.’

Well, in a land where trolls are more than internet pests and more like legal advisors, you’ve got to trust the system.

9. Privacy Rights

Other countries, especially those in Europe, have very strict privacy laws covering everything from medical forms to internet tracking.  While the US has some privacy laws such as HIPAA, it has some catching up to do in this area.