40+ Photos That Prove the U.S. Is Soooooo Behind When it Comes to, Well, Everything

This article appeared in modernmic.com and has been published here with permission.

The world is developing at such a fast pace, but doesn't it feel like the U.S. is still so far behind? It seems that a lot of other countries are speeding ahead, and Americans can't keep up. From coffee vending machines to female-only trains, here are some interesting photos that prove that we're missing out on some pretty cool things.

A Retro Gaming Bar

This bar in Manchester throws it back to the '90s with this awesome retro gaming system, the Nintendo 64 (N64). Visitors can have a drink while playing old-school versions of games - such as Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and a bunch of variations of Pokémon.

Doesn't this just add an extra level of fun to hanging out with friends? Hey, it would even make a pretty good spot for a date. If you're a super competitive person, why not challenge someone to an old-school Super Mario run?

Generous Crossing Time

Do you ever feel like traffic lights give pedestrians about two seconds to cross the road? Unless you can sprint across the road, you stand no chance. In Singapore, they're a lot more gracious to elderly and disabled citizens.

They provide you with a card that you can tap when you press the button. This means you'll be given extra time to cross the road when the light goes green. This kind of forward-thinking is exactly what we need - inventions that truly help people.

Thank You Button

Okay, first of all, if you don't say thank you to the bus driver after getting off at your stop, don't you think you should learn some manners? Well, Finland's clever thinking has made doing that way easier for people to do.

When you get off the bus, all you need to do is hit this button, and it lets the bus driver know you're saying thank you. Hey, it's almost like a little "like" button, isn't it? While we wait for this great idea to hit the states, remember to keep saying thank you.

Solar-Powered Benches

We all use solar power for quite a few things these days - houses, battery packs, and even cars. Germany has taken solar power one step further, giving citizens a convenient place to charge their phones while conserving energy.

As it turns out, more and more of these benches are slowly being introduced across Europe, with over 1,100 benches across the continent. Better yet, they're not just phone chargers. They also have Wi-Fi, which can be used as advertising space for local businesses.