As Americans, we take lots of things for granted that people in other countries see as a sign of wealth or luxury, including these 13 basic things.
Reliable Internet Access
Trying to watch your favorite show & the internet just keeps buffering is pretty annoying.
In many places around the world, having a working internet connection is something people can only dream of. They often have to go to internet cafes or wait for hours for a bit of slow (and unreliable) service.
Clean Drinking Water
Most of us don’t drink water straight from the tap and we’ll use a water filter instead. Yet in lots of countries, simply having access to clean water is a treasure and people need to walk miles to fetch water.
In some cases, they’ll even spend a large portion of their income on bottled water.
24/7 Electricity
Nobody likes sitting through a power outage but in some countries, that’s a regular occurrence.
Constant and stable electricity is not something people consistently have across the world. People have to endure hours, even days, of blackouts. So if they want to keep their food cold, or charge their phones, they have to plan what to do in advance.
Public Libraries
Most of us don’t think much about the local library. There’s so much to do there, including reading books for free and using the internet. Sadly, not all people are so lucky because many countries lack libraries.
Easy access to free books and information is something you don’t truly miss until you don’t have them.
Central Heating and Air Conditioning
Walking into a cool home on a hot summer day or feeling the warmth during winter is a pleasure most of us take for granted.
Even in many countries in Europe, climate control is more of a luxury that less than 10% of people have in their homes. They have to find other ways to beat the heat or keep warm.
Free Public Restrooms
The idea of using the restroom without paying a penny should be the norm but it’s not.
In many countries, even in Europe, it’s hard to find a free restroom. You have to pay. Knowing this makes those roadside rest stops along the highway sound rather good.
Widespread Supermarkets
Not being able to find everything you need for your weekly meals in one place seems rather bizarre. However, in some countries, large supermarkets with aisles of choices are not a thing & people shop at local markets.
They may even have to visit several small stores with a limited selection. All the choices you see in the grocery store are conveniences not everyone enjoys.
Fast Food and Delivery Services
We can have anything delivered to our door these days. Yet not everywhere is like this, as in many parts of the world, fast food & delivery is often super expensive. In many cases, it’s just not available.
Owning a Car
Here in the USA, it’s practically impossible to survive without a car, yet in many other places, it’s a sign of wealth. Sometimes, it’s because they have so many public transport options, while other times, it’s because of the cost.
Either way, owning a car isn’t necessary or feasible for many people. Remember that the next time you’re stuck in traffic.
Disposable Diapers Â
For lots of parents, disposable diapers are a diaper bag staple although not all families are this lucky.
They’re a pricey luxury in many places and this forces parents to use cloth diapers or other methods to keep their children clean. Even the simplest of parenting aids can be a big deal elsewhere.
High-Quality Education
No matter your opinions on the education system, we expect to have access to well-equipped schools & skilled teachers.
Unfortunately, in many countries – such a level of education is only available to those who can afford private schooling. Children have to make do with overly crowded and massively underfunded schools to learn instead.
Personal Computers and Smartphones
We may be lining up for the latest iphone on a yearly basis, but many people across the world can barely afford a basic computer or smartphone.
No, people in these countries see it as a luxury that only the richest people can afford.
Ample Closet Space
We’ve all complained about the lack of space in our closets.
In many parts of the world, the concept of having a closet (let alone one that’s spacious) is unheard of because people live in smaller spaces. They have to deal with having much less. It’s enough to make our walk-in closets seem like rooms of their own.
