OT - your favorite gadgets/inventions

bella

While I am sometimes overwhelmed by the consumerism, I cannot help but marvel at the fact America is the cradle of inventions. What are some of your favorite things that you can only get in the US? The kind of things that you can easily find in any drugstore in the US but definitely miss when you go abroad? I am not talking about foods/perishable items, but more like gadgets, tools, consumer goods. They can be fashion related or non-fashion related.
For those outside the US, what are some of the things that you cannot find in the US?
Indulge me!:)

14 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from Elly

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I don't know if they have it out of the states or not, but I couldn't live without my hollywood fashion tape.

Every time we hear of someone going to Italy, my mom has them bring back this little Tritacarne (meat mincer). You can use it to make veggie purees and salads too.

http://www.littlestoffy.co.uk/.....Rigamonti/

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I can't think of a drug store item, actually. I very seldom frequent a drugstore! How about you, Bella?

The retail hours in the US are sublime. Same as in Asia. Retail hours in Europe are AWFUL :(. That's what I miss most when I leave the US (other than our doggies, bed, wardrobe and snack cupboard).

14 years ago

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

I don't know about gadgets/tools - since whenever I'm out of North American I've brought all the things I'll need. But whenever I go from Canada to the US, I have to bring as many bags of Ketchup chips as I can fit in my suitcase! How can Canada's most popular flavour not be available in the States? Oh, and Otravin (nasal spray), for some reason it's a prescription drug in the US - and my nasally congested beau can't live without it!

14 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, where to start. I am impressed by the amount and diversity of over the counter-medication, vitamins and herbal supplements. I always pick up a few bottles of basic vitamin for my parents when I go back to visit them because the same vitamins cost about three, sometimes four times more. I also buy some gluten-free aspirins for a family friend, which I learned is notoriously difficult to find over there.
On the other hand, I really enjoyed the large selection of effervescent vitamins in Germany. It seems like the germans really enjoyed drinking their supplements as opposed to swallowing them.
I also like travel-sized everything. I don't think I have ever seen such a huge selection of travel-sized items outside the US.

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

I know you said not food, but I just found this yesterday and I have to say it could be the PMS miracle drug... open pouch and eat with spoon

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14 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I wonder if that food works on PMBS (peri-menopausal BS).

I usually buy a tube or two of hydrocortisone creme when in the U.S. We can buy it in Canada but at half strength. I need a prescription to get the stronger formula.

14 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

In the Azores, one cannot get Noxema or leave-in hair conditioner. We ship it my cousins.

14 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

And there are no salad spinners either. How do they live ???

14 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

Zip-loc bags, Mr. Clean Erasers, dishwashing gloves - mom, MIL and grandma all want them when I visit home (India).

14 years ago

Kari

Veteran

My American friends who have lived overseas and had to go grocery shopping said that they especially missed peanut butter. I'm having trouble thinking of a non-food item, I guess because I haven't been out of the country for long periods of time where I had to shop in drugstores.

14 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Kari, the peanut butter one makes me think of a story my mom told me. My parents came to the United States from Syria, and when she was a kid she used to take peanuts, shell them, and grind them up with a mortar/pestle to eat with bread. It was her genius food invention! Then she came to the US and, much to her surprise, found that it was already invented AND sold in little jars!

14 years ago

Elly

Veteran

The only one I hear a lot from friends that live overseas is green chile and other Mexican/Navajo food. I have a friend that once made frybread for a girlfriend in paris using duck lard and had to make his own baking powder.

14 years ago

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