Ten American Conveniences Immigrants Don't Get Used To
'12.04.2021'
Source: Novate.ru
In each country there are domestic and everyday inventions that may seem unusual to residents of other states. Novate.ru talks about 10 amenities, natural to Americans, but surprising to immigrants and US guests.
1. Chopper in the kitchen sink
Practically everyone has this thing - it is also called the displacer. A special device that is built into the sink in the kitchen and allows you to grind any food waste. Nothing needs to be thrown into the trash: convenient for the hostess, eliminates unpleasant odors in the kitchen.
2. Phone number with letters
To this day, the numbers of some companies from the United States include not only numbers, but also letter designations, for example, in the form of a short word (often this is the name of the company or other “identifying” mark).
3. Built-in air conditioners
In American homes, air conditioning is thought out and laid back in the plan of a dwelling house, and by the time the tenants enter, the cooling and airing system is already working. There is no need to buy air conditioners and pay for their installation independently.
4. Fluorinated water
In the last century, the regular flow of fluoridated water into the pipes of American houses and apartments became normal - it is believed that this greatly improves the condition of the teeth and even their color. No special filters at their own expense, everything is already working.
5. Bottle receiving machines
Glassware and tin cans in America can be handed over at the entrance to any large supermarket where special machines are installed. In exchange for getting rid of recyclables, you will be given a discount coupon for purchases in the same store.
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6. Public laundry
In many ways, their creation is dictated by the fact that the sewage system in large cities was created more than a hundred years ago (for example, there is such a problem in New York), so you cannot use the machine in the house. But for many US residents, this is simply a convenient and inexpensive way out, especially in the case of renting an apartment.
7. Disabled public transport
In addition to the fact that people with limited mobility in the United States feel quite comfortable - they have smooth sidewalks with descents and ascents, ramps and other amenities, America also has a network of vehicles with special descents through which a person can comfortably climb the bus.
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8. Toll Highways
These are very high-quality, high-speed motorways with a well-developed infrastructure - depending on how far you are going, there will be a payment amount. Roads are equipped with turnstiles for accurate counting.
9. School buses
Famous for the whole world, recognizable school buses of yellow color - America’s business card. And this is not a picture for the cinema, each student can really use the services of a free bus to get to school and back.
10. Discount coupons
They're all over the place — there's even a whole movement called “couponing,” meaning a kind of competition to use the best deals. There are online coupons, coupons from local newspapers, magazines. Discounts are provided for a lot of goods and services.