Things From Around The World That Should Be Everywhere
One of the best things about traveling is seeing how everyone else in the world does things. What are their street lights like? Why do they have different colored toilet paper? They don't use plastic?! There are so many things that other countries and other cities do that the rest of the world could note and do ourselves.
Loving Those Colorful Lights
![Tetris you can play Tetris on a building in Berlin](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-89948.jpg?width=800&height=801)
These colorful lights are actually a giant game of Tetris on an office building in Brunswick, Germany. To play, you actually go up to the roof of the building across the street.
Is That What I Think It Is?
![pizza a pizza vending machine](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-1-32111.jpg?width=800&height=801)
No, it's actually way better than what I thought it was. This little town in France has pizza vending machines where you can get a warm pizza in three minutes, or get a frozen one to cook yourself at home.
Talk About Taking In The View
![bench a bench where you can change the direction it looks in](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-2-25689.jpg?width=800&height=801)
This bench in this coastal town can be pushed so that it can either face the water or the land and the nearby attractions. Now you don't have to choose, you can take it all in.
At Least They're Being Transparent
![bridge a sign letting you know how behind and over budget a construction project is](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-3-75192.jpg?width=800&height=801)
These signs are posted around all construction projects around Rhode Island. It lets you know how late and how over-budget the project is. Frustrating, sure, but at least they're honest.
Testing Out Those Waters
![shower a shower that lets you change the temperature without getting wet](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-4-11557.jpg?width=800&height=801)
This hotel has a neat feature on all of their showers. They have a little cut-out that allows you to feel the temperature of the water and adjust it without having to awkwardly contort your body so you don't get wet.
Safety First!
![bike a pole that lets bike riders rest at a stop light](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-5-90357.jpg?width=800&height=801)
Sweden likes to encourage people to ride their bikes as much as they can. So, they've installed these poles that help bikers rest while staying upright at intersections when there's a red light.
OK, This Really Needs To Be Everywhere
![mirror a warmed section of the mirror so it doesn't fog up](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-6-56870.jpg?width=800&height=801)
At this hotel in Japan, they have a smaller section of the bathroom mirror heated so that when the bathroom gets all steamy from your shower, you'll still be able to see yourself when you get out.
Wouldn't Believe It If I Didn't See It
![uturn a light specifically for uturns](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-7-63905.jpg?width=800&height=801)
U-turn lights really should be everywhere, because people love to do U-turns anywhere they please. At least if we knew where we could do them, it would make life easier for all drivers.
Something About This Is Spooky
![red red lights to keep the animals safe](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-533-68503.jpg?width=800&height=533)
These red lights are installed in places that are close to a beach, like somewhere in Puerto Rico. They have red streetlights so that the marine life and animals in the area don't get confused or drawn to the bright lights.
No More Using The Bathroom Floor
![accessories an accessory tray in a bathroom stall](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-8-73265.jpg?width=800&height=801)
When you close and lock the door in this bathroom stall, it creates a little accessory tray for you to put all your things on so they don't have to touch the bathroom floor.
Making Grocery Shopping Easier
![map map of a grocery store on a cart](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/map-65088.jpg?width=800&height=533)
Another awesome invention from Sweden is this map they have on all the grocery carts. It shows you where everything is in the store so you can make one quick sweep of it.
Who Doesn't Love Saving Time?
![elevator elevator button is a ways from the doors so you can push it and the elevator will get there when you do](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/elevator-37044.jpg?width=800&height=533)
This hotel keeps their elevator buttons about 30 feet away from the actual elevators so that you can push them and not have to wait when you get to the elevator doors.
Every Store Needs These
![baskets baskets that are different colors depending on your needs](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-9-15199.jpg?width=800&height=801)
These colored baskets let the people working at the store know if you might need help or if you're just not in the mood to deal with people right then.
It Looks Like Something From Tron
![lights light poles that change color with the traffic lights](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/lights--64081.jpg?width=800&height=800)
These lights in Ukraine change color completely when the traffic lights change. It makes it easier for everyone to see the lights, and there is nothing wrong with that, is there?
You Can Never Start Too Early
![driving a bike park that teaches kids how to drive](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-10-56847.jpg?width=800&height=801)
In Copenhagen, there is a playground for kids to use their bikes on that teaches them the rules of the road that they'll later need in order to drive a car.
Keeping People Safe
![sign a safe place to exchange internet purchases](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-11-33778.jpg?width=800&height=801)
This city put up signs to create designated areas that people can go to meet with someone they've been interacting with online. They're in well-lit, busy areas, so there is no chance of any shady business going down.
Every Change Room Needs These
![lighting change room with lights to mimic different times of day](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-12-80690.jpg?width=800&height=801)
Sometimes, the lighting in a change room is so terrible, and it really is a bummer. But this change room has lights that you can adjust to mimic certain times of the day.
That Is Handy And Environmentally Friendly
![water bottle a water bottle that has maps of all the water refill stations](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-13-23003.jpg?width=800&height=801)
This water bottle has a map of all of the water refill stations on Princeton's campus on it. If you want people to stop using plastic, this is one great way to encourage it.
It's Important To Wash Your Hands
![soap scented and unscented soaps for before and after eating](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-533-1-23306.jpg?width=800&height=533)
This restaurant has both scented and unscented soap dispensers. On the pumps, it says that they're for before and after eating, but some people just don't like scented soap. This is a good option for them.
You'll Never Run Out
![milk sides of a milk carton have windows so you can see how much is left](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/800-x-801-14-38536.jpg?width=800&height=801)
This is one of those little things that would make such a big difference if just everyone would do it. In Germany, their milk cartons have little windows that allow you to see how much milk you have left.