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<ul class="summary-list"><li>A new <keyword id="40905" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Marijuana">marijuana</keyword> <keyword id="476385" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Vending-machine">vending machine</keyword> that can hold up to 2,000 products, including vape oils, flower, and edibles has debuted in <keyword id="6359726" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="colorado">Colorado</keyword>.</li><li>This machine is intended for the more "experienced" customer, who may not need human interaction, its founder says.</li><li>There are plans to open more vending machines in the state later this year. </li></ul><p>A local dispensary in Colorado has opened four marijuana vending machines, with flower, edible, and vape oil options.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.tryanna.com">anna vending machine</a> can hold up to 2,000 products and will be available at the Strawberry Fields dispensary in Pueblo, located roughly 43 miles south of Colorado Springs. </p><p>These machines are tailored toward the "experienced cannabis customers who don't necessarily need that one-on-one interaction with a budtender," CEO and founder <keyword id="2080009" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Matt-Frost">Matt Frost</keyword> <a href="https://theknow.denverpost.com/2020/08/17/weed-vending-machine-pueblo-colorado/243437/">told The Denver Post</a>. "By doing this we're giving more time back to the people who do need hand holding and want that education from a live person." </p><p>Frost, who has a background in data analytics, got the inspiration for the machine as a way to mimic "the efficiency of a <keyword id="6354851" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="retail">retail</keyword> self-checkout system to the marijuana industry."</p><p>The machine is located inside the dispensary, so customers will still have to check in and show identification. </p><p>This is the second state with the <keyword id="9788647" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="anna-vending-machine">anna vending machine</keyword>, as Frost debuted the first anna in his home state of Massachusetts, where the <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/08/25/months-after-opening-brookline-marijuana-store-still-one-america-busiest-and-not-everyone-thrilled/2tFqGMYsN8XVa5ykTLY9MI/story.html">wait at dispensaries can be hours long</a> and some dispensaries may even <a href="https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2020/07/31/marijuana-dispensary-brookline-coolidge-corner">require customers to make an appointment time</a>. </p><p>Frost is hoping the user-friendly interface, mixed with the increase in contactless purchases, will help bolster anna's popularity. </p><p>Sales of marijuana have been up since March, when users began to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-people-are-stockpiling-pot-dispensary-sales-skyrocket-2020-3">"stockpile" marijuana</a> as stay-at-home orders were enacted across the country. </p><p>Plans for a machine at the Starbud dispensary in Aurora, located about 16 miles east of Denver, are in the works and are scheduled to be available for use later this year. </p>

Colorado just got its first marijuana vending machines

<ul><li>A couple from Chennai has come up with this innovation of a <keyword id="6438835" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="mask">mask</keyword> vending machine.</li><li>Around two years ago, the couple was working on a similar concept of selling fresh tender coconuts at hospitals, especially to cancer patients but lockdown made their project standstill.</li><li>A doctor couple in Mumbai is collecting unused medicines from recovered people and providing them to needy patients who cannot afford these medicines.</li></ul>As India is going through one of its worst phases in history, with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic squeezing the country’s health infrastructure and its economy, a few good samaritans have come out to lend a helping hand. <br /><br />Double masking is the utmost need of the hour and a couple from Chennai has come up with this innovation of a mask vending machine. <br /><br />Krishna Priyadarshini and Vijayaragavan Visuvamithran unveiled Insta Mask, a vending machine that presses out surgical masks for just ₹5. <br /><br />This mask vending machine is installed in Koyambedu bus terminus in Chennai and has sold over thousands of masks to people in the last couple of weeks. Around 150 masks are <a href="https://m.timesofindia.com/life-style/spotlight/chennai-couples-innovative-vending-machine-helps-buy-masks-on-the-go-for-just-rs-5/amp_articleshow/82578572.cms">reportedly</a> sold each day. The couple who graduated from Anna University in Chennai told The Times of India, “Vending machines are relatively new here, it did take people to get [a] hang of it, but with the help of awareness campaigns, we have sold around 40,000 masks since December 2020.”<br /><br />Around two years ago, the couple was working on a similar concept of selling fresh tender coconuts at hospitals, especially to cancer patients but lockdown made their project standstill. During the pandemic, the couple decided to channel their energy towards distribution of masks.<br /><br /><div type="image" title="Dr. Marcus Ranney, founder and chief executive of Human Edge and his wife Dr Raina in Mumbai" height="720" width="1280" msid="82605162" hostid="261"></div><br />Another small initiative started by Dr. Marcus Ranney, founder and chief executive of Human Edge and his wife Dr Raina in Mumbai are worth mentioning. The doctor couple in Mumbai is collecting unused medicines from recovered people and providing them to needy patients who cannot afford these medicines.<br /><br />The doctor couple started this initiative called “Meds for More” on May 1, this year, when one of their staff members got infected with the virus and needed the medicines. “It is difficult for some people to buy these expensive medicines. We have now 100 buildings that are sending medicines to us. We are a team of eight people and some volunteers in different buildings. Last week we collected 20 kilograms of medicines, which were given to our NGO partners,” the doctor couple told news agency ANI.<br /><br />The couple is not only providing COVID-19 medicines like Fabiflu, antibiotics, inhalers, steroids etc., but also basic medical equipment like pulse oximeters and thermometers, too.<br /><br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:<br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-responds-to-privacy-criticism-by-alleging-other-apps-like-zomato-ola-aarogya-setu-zoom-google-and-other-apps/articleshow/82570897.cms">WhatsApp responds to privacy criticism by alleging that other apps and tech companies also show disdain for user privacy</a><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/vodafone-idea-adds-subscribers-for-the-first-time-in-15-months/articleshow/82568343.cms">Vodafone Idea shares up by 10% as it adds subscribers for the first time in 15 months – Airtel, Reliance Jio expand their user base</a><br /></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/markets/news/heres-why-the-spike-in-inflation-in-the-us-may-worry-markets-in-india/articleshow/82597218.cms"><strong>Here's why the spike in inflation in the US may worry markets in India ⁠— but experts say don’t panic yet</strong></a><br />

Even small initiatives during a pandemic can help save a thousand lives, these people are doing their bit

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Andrew Lambrecht decided to fight procrastination by trying Dr. Anna Lembke's dopamine reset.</li><li>The reset involves abstaining from addictive activities for 30 days to recalibrate the brain.</li></ul><p>One morning at the end of the fall 2022 semester, I left the library at 5 a.m. Since arriving earlier the previous evening, I hadn't accomplished any meaningful work. That night, I fell into a disastrous cycle of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/main-types-of-procrastinators-how-to-avoid-accountability-coaches">procrastination</a>.</p><p>From doomscrolling social media to binge-eating vending machine snacks, I gave into distractions so much that my willpower was indefinitely exhausted, my sleep schedule was ruined, and I had a dreadful week of final exams.</p><p>Over winter break, I wanted to devise a plan to succeed in the spring semester. My goal was to resist distraction and become a more productive worker, but I didn't know how.</p><p>I asked <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cure-screen-time-social-media-phone-addiction-app-one-sec-2023-3">Dr. Anna Lembke</a>, a Stanford psychiatry professor and the author of "Dopamine Nation," for the answer.</p><h2 id="411652b4-26c3-4458-baae-c6d39b293352"><strong>An era of overconsumption associated with dopamine</strong></h2><p>Several regions in our brains house dopaminergic neurons. These neurons create <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-tried-dopamine-restricting-for-procrastination-motivation-productivity-strategy-2022-6">dopamine</a>, a chemical messenger constantly traveling through "reward pathways." Dopamine is related to everything from physical movement to memory, motivation, and attention.</p><p>We're surrounded by addictive substances and reinforcing activities. Once habits are started, altering them typically requires great energy. Dr. Lembke told me the best way to escape this vicious cycle of highs and lows is to abstain from the addictive substances altogether.</p><p>She recommends that individuals abandon their favored instantly gratifying activity for 30 days, which provides enough time for their neural circuitry to recalibrate.</p><p>My drugs of choice are social media and online car shopping. Before my reset, I spent an average of three to four hours daily on these apps. I embarked on a 30-day mindfulness period to regain control of my life.</p><h2 id="b033ea96-7671-4dae-9640-7f19ff123b5c"><strong>Beginning Dr. Lembke's reset</strong></h2><div type="image" title="a desk with a notebook and a laptop" height="1104" width="1488" msid="111752970" hostid="261"></div><p>I started my reset after spring break last year to make the second half of the semester as productive as possible. I deleted Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/linkedin-cringe-how-to-post-new-job-hiring-resume-2024-3">even LinkedIn</a> from my phone.</p><p>I signed out of the accounts on my laptop and abstained from browsing car shopping websites, a habit I would resort to whenever I felt bored or stressed out. I started strong with nothing to do on my computer but school and writing assignments.</p><p>Within the first week, my screen time was already significantly down — under an hour and 30 minutes — but I occasionally felt the urge to scroll through Instagram or search for used cars I'd probably never buy. Dr. Lembke said developing the desire to return to one's favored pleasurable activity is a normal part of a dopamine reset.</p><p>"Because we're in this dopamine deficit state, we're now not getting this exogenous source of dopamine. We feel worse before we feel better, but usually, by about day 10 to 14, the body starts to get the memo … and then people start to get out of that craving state," Dr. Lembke said.</p><h2 id="22ee696e-fae2-439e-b80b-b91409e22fd5"><strong>I replaced my screen time with more productive activities</strong></h2><p>I replaced <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-twitter-rate-limit-meme-response-2023-7">scrolling through Twitter</a> with reading and started running again. While certainly not as instantly gratifying as social media, these tasks gave me a sense of accomplishment when I finished. After the first week passed, I was becoming accustomed to my new lifestyle.</p><p>Dr. Lembke also recommends disabling push notifications, specifically from social media outlets. "Turn all that stuff off so that you're not in this mode of reacting to your device, but you're very intentional about when you're going to go on and how you're going to use it," she said. Her concept lies within a redistribution of control, ensuring that the device doesn't dictate your interactions with it but instead is managed by you.</p><p>By the second two weeks, adhering to the regimen became much easier.</p><h2 id="c55f69f0-b691-417b-9728-d13de93e3602"><strong>Enabling lifelong habits</strong></h2><div type="image" title="a screenshot of screen time on iPhone" height="1085" width="1170" msid="111752729" hostid="261"></div><p>At the end of my 30-day experiment, it was time for final exams. I secured eighteen credit hours with a semesterly GPA increase of 55%. I began to enjoy college more and felt better prepared to tackle greater tasks.</p><p>During the experiment, I noticed several things. According to Lembke, temporary pain, whether a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/start-day-cold-plunge-reduce-grogginess-stress-mental-sharpness-2023-4">cold shower</a> or a long-distance run, can ease the transition to starting a harder task, like homework. Walking to class without listening to music through my AirPods made it easier to lock in and get work done.</p><p>Another observation is that my connections with friends strengthened once I was off social media. I couldn't connect with them online, but I felt our in-person conversations were more meaningful.</p><p>Most notably, I became far more aware of my phone usage. I've stopped scrolling on Instagram when I wake up, and I no longer feel compelled to check social media incessantly. My <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-limit-screen-time-on-iphone">screen time</a> dwindled to less than an hour daily, and I felt better than ever.</p><h2 id="61088e93-ab44-4d06-b241-74862a002599"><strong>I logged back into my socials, but I proceeded cautiously</strong></h2><p>Dr. Lembke recommends self-binding strategies to limit your use of social media platforms, like making your phone black and white. Setting the display on a smartphone to grayscale makes it a more boring experience, so you may not want to stay on as long.</p><p>I switched my phone and laptop to grayscale. Browsing the used car market is a lot more bland when all the options are in various hues of gray.</p><p>Moreover, time away from tech can give users a perspective switch, which significantly <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/employee-productivity-booming-workers-jobs-ai-stock-market-gdp-2024-3">helps productivity</a>. Whenever I'm working on something now, I resist the urge to watch YouTube or scroll through social media. Recognizing these distractions for what they truly are — detours from the road of productivity — rather than pastimes for moments of boredom is critical for enhancing efficiency and focus.</p><h2 id="6e0a05a0-fc14-4b90-9307-e9a6fd94ab69"><strong>Cutting out excessive screen time was for the better</strong></h2><div type="image" title="a sunset overlooking a mountain" height="1110" width="1492" msid="111752728" hostid="261"></div><p>I got into a bit of a productivity slump this year, so I took another monthlong abstinence period. It gave me more time to write, focus on school, and catch up on reading.</p><p>I still use social media, though I typically schedule content ahead of time and log out after posting. By "posting and ghosting," I can reap the benefits of being active online without becoming distracted.</p><p>I also <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-turn-off-all-notifications-across-devices">disable notifications</a> on most non-essential apps, so my phone and laptop aren't inundated by a constant stream of usually unimportant information. I get far more meaningful work done than before.</p><p>My main takeaway from Dr. Lembke's 30-day experiment is that intentions are key. Rather than letting external stimuli determine our actions and behaviors, we should purposefully interact with them.</p>

I asked a psychiatrist how to be less distracted and more productive. Her 30-day reset helped me regain control of my life.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Celsius, the suddenly-ubiquitous energy drink, is a favorite of Gen Z — and Capitol Hill.</li><li>It has twice as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, which is pretty much all you need to know about its appeal.</li></ul><p>When<strong> </strong>Washington, D.C. lobbyist Matthew Hoekstra wants to have a quick meeting with a Congressional staffer, he heads for a special spot in the basement of the Rayburn House Office Building, a sprawling complex on the Hill.</p><p>"I love to take meetings in front of the Celsius vending machine," he told Business Insider. "I'll recognize people who go there every day."</p><p>You read that right. Celsius — the suddenly-ubiquitous energy drink that comes in flavors like "Kiwi Guava" and "Arctic Vibe" and is fervently beloved by Gen Z — is fueling Capitol Hill lobbyists, staffers, the press corps, and even some members of Congress.</p><p>"It's everywhere," said Brent Robertson, chief-of-staff for Republican Kansas Senator Roger Marshall and self-identified "afternoon Celli man."</p><p>According to Axios reporter Victoria Knight, who covers health policy from the Hill, "many of our discussions while we're standing around in the hallway or sitting in the press gallery revolve around when we should get our Celsius for the day." Knight said she's noticed many staffers and Congressional members partaking.</p><p>"Congress would probably go into a government shutdown without Celsius," she added.</p><p>Over the last <a target="_blank" href="https://www.marketingbrew.com/stories/2023/09/22/celsius-keeps-bulking-up-its-big-name-influencer-partners"><u>three years</u></a>, the slender white cans — fancifully emblazoned with various fruits, despite containing no juice — have taken over college campuses, corner stores, and gyms. Though the drink first hit the market in 2005, it struggled to gain a foothold until a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/hanktucker/2021/04/07/florida-octogenarian-becomes-a-billionaire-after-investing-in-celsius-energy-drink/?sh=5a4789152b62"><u>vitamin entrepreneur</u></a> pumped millions into marketing and advertising. Now, thanks in large part to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/01/pepsico-takes-550-million-stake-in-energy-drink-maker-celsius-.html"><u>2022 distribution deal</u></a> with PepsiCo, as well as overall growth in the energy drink market since the pandemic, Celsius's valuation has skyrocketed to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gq.com/story/gq-clout-john-fieldly"><u>$13.4 billion</u></a>, up from $280 million in 2018.</p><p>It's easy to see the appeal. The original 12 oz can clocks in at 200 milligrams of caffeine, about double that of a cup of coffee and a little more than a standard 16 oz can of Monster. It goes down easy, with a synthetic, vaguely fruity taste that's more reminiscent of a Propel Water than a Red Bull.</p><p>"Celli" fans on the Hill see the drink as a cleaner way to optimize their caffeine intake. "It's a way better alternative to coffee, honestly," Robertson told Business Insider. "It doesn't stain your teeth, and is less expensive with twice the punch."</p><p>Hoekstra — who loves Celsius so much he even dressed up as the drink for Halloween, complete with a necklace made out of old cans — views it as an antidote to the unhealthy lobbyist lifestyle.</p><p>"Everyone's glued to their phones, and even if you're disciplined, you go to lunches and dinners where you're eating bread and steak and drinking," he said. Unlike other sugary energy drinks, with Celsius, "there are some health aspects, including the metabolism boost." (Speculation has swirled on social media about the drink containing everything from <a target="_blank" href="https://nypost.com/2023/06/09/celsius-fitness-drinks-are-like-ozempic-fans-say-just-cheaper/"><u>Ozempic</u></a> to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@quensadillareturns/video/7239461649353215278?lang=en"><u>methamphetamine</u></a>.)</p><div type="image" title="man dressed as celsius for halloween" height="1141" width="642" msid="105513982" hostid="261" sizebytes="41834"></div><p>Florida representative Anna Paulina Luna, a member of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, told Business Insider she was drawn to Celsius's advertised health benefits during her 2022 campaign. "I needed to get my daily dose of vitamins while door knocking," she said. Now, she "usually has one a day unless we're in late-night votes, in which case I usually have two."</p><p>Eric Garcia, the Washington bureau chief for The Independent, decided to try Celsius because it seemed like "a decent replacement" for his Coca-Cola addiction. He started drinking it "somewhere between the debt limit fight and the Speaker dumpster fire because I saw my fellow Hill reporters drinking it," he said. (He mentioned the drink <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/house-speaker-mike-johnson-vote-b2436500.html"><u>several times</u></a> in a report about the Republican House Speaker fight in October.)</p><p>Over the last six months, Celsius-only vending machines have popped up on the Hill, which is in line with the company's recent focus on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.modernretail.co/marketing/through-partnerships-with-dunkin-donuts-and-jersey-mikes-celsius-expands-its-food-service-channel/"><u>food service distribution</u></a>. The machines have appeared in Rayburn, the basement of the Cannon House Office Building, and even the basement of the House of Representatives. Celsius is also available at dining facilities like the Capitol Refectory and the Dirksen Senate Office building cafeteria.</p><p>It seems Celsius has become enough of a phenomenon on the Hill that, in the frantic November week before the passage of the latest stopgap funding bill, a shortage prompted worried tweets from staffers and press, and even a mention in POLITICO's Huddle newsletter.</p><p>You wouldn't know that by talking to official channels, however. When reached by email with questions about Celsius-specific vending machines, the House of Representatives <a target="_blank" href="https://cao.house.gov/about"><u>Chief Administrative Officer,</u></a> which manages the House's day-to-day operations, offered a curt "no comment."</p><p>To Duane Stanford, editor and publisher of the trade publication Beverage Digest, the popularity is obvious.</p><p>"Capitol Hill is full of young, energetic career-oriented people who by and large care about fitness," he told Business Insider. "It used to be that the big driver of energy drinks was blue-collar workers who really needed the energy to keep pushing through what they were doing. Now, it's much more acceptable in white collar fields to use these kinds of drinks." Stanford said these young workers are part of a new consumer group that's helping drive the overall growth of the energy drink market.</p><p>Celsius, with its emphasis on a blend of seven vitamins and claims that it can "accelerate metabolism," uses its branding to communicate that "it can help you have a better life," Stanford said.</p><p>"I feel like D.C. culture has really contributed to it, because these staffers and reporters have incredibly intense jobs," Hoekstra said. "It helps you manage your professional schedule."</p><div type="image" title="celsius cans" height="3250" width="4875" msid="105513984" hostid="261" sizebytes="829168"></div><p>The company itself emphasized this point in a statement to Business Insider. "Not only is Celsius used by athletes preparing for competition, for fueling workouts, and celebrating life's best moments, Celsius also plays an important role in providing our nation's lawmakers with Essential Energy to carry out critical work for our nation."</p><p>Garcia sees a clear connection between recent Congressional chaos and Celsius's rising popularity. "I think more than anything, given the long hours covering Congress… you need something to stay awake," he said. "In a perfect world, if House Republicans could find a speaker or pass a spending bill on time, we wouldn't need to rely on Celsius."</p><p>In the last few weeks of this year's session, perhaps Congress would be wise to heed the mantra emblazoned on the <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/victoriaregisk/status/1707835068486475965"><u>Celsius vending machine</u></a> in the House basement: "Don't wish for it, work for it."</p>

Washington's secret weapon is a beloved Gen Z energy drink with more caffeine than God

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Anna Shepherd is an American tourist who traveled through Spain, Italy, and France for three weeks.</li><li>She loved the food, history, and architecture but realized she missed certain American things.</li></ul><p><em>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Anna Shepherd</em><em>, a </em>24<em>-year-old</em><em> from Knoxville, Tennessee. It has been edited for length and clarity.</em></p><p>During my most recent trip to Europe, I went to Spain, France, and Italy with my fiancé. While I've been to Europe in the past, both with my school and with a travel company, this was the first time I did all of the planning. </p><p>Although I love Europe for its food, drinks, history, and strong military presence, there were a few things I noticed on my trip that I didn't like. </p><h2>1. I missed condiments</h2><div type="image" title="A pile of condiment packets." height="1139" width="1519" msid="104913568" hostid="261"></div><p>Every time I ordered fries, a sandwich, or a burger, it didn't come with sauce. Sure, some tables would have mayo or ketchup on them, but that was it — none of the fun, flavorful things like garlic Parmesan or chipotle mayo.</p><p>I used to work in the restaurant industry back home, and we'd always offer a selection of things like honey mustard or barbecue sauce with meals. I didn't see much of that in Europe — and I missed it.</p><h2>2. The breakfast wasn't free</h2><div type="image" title="Two cups of coffee on a red table." height="622" width="828" msid="104913569" hostid="261"></div><p>Every hotel I stayed in offered breakfast of some sort, but it was an additional charge. A lot of times, I'd hear something like, "I see you didn't add breakfast to your hotel bill; would you like to add it now?" From there, the extra charge for breakfast would range from 8 to 15 euros, or $8.48 to $15.89, so I'd just say "no thanks" and head to a bakery instead.</p><p>To be fair, I know some hotels in the US also charge you an extra bill for breakfast, but in my experience, the continental breakfast is usually free. With the exception of water fountains for drinking, there wasn't really anything free where I stayed in Europe.</p><h2>3. There weren't any vending machines</h2><div type="image" title="vending machines" height="1023" width="1364" msid="104913572" hostid="261"></div><p>In the US, in my experience, many hotels have vending machines on each floor, and if not, they have them in the lobby. In Europe, I could not find a single vending machine anywhere.</p><p>There were times I'd want to eat late at night, and since many restaurants were closed, I'd have to stay hungry. Sometimes, I'd opt to get McDonald's, as those were usually open, but that meant figuring out public transportation — and that was difficult, too.</p><h2>4. The transportation was tricky</h2><div type="image" title="The back of a bus." height="1415" width="1886" msid="104913573" hostid="261"></div><p>During this trip, I took planes, trains, and buses — any form of transportation that I saw offered.</p><p>It all seemed to take forever. Sometimes, I'd wait a good 20 minutes for a bus; then I'd get off the bus and hop on a train and have to wait all over again.</p><p>It felt like a lot of connections and made me miss the convenience of driving, something I didn't do while in Europe. But I also understand that public transportation is better for the environment, and Europe seems to be really good at that.</p><h2>5. The toilets didn't have seats</h2><div type="image" title="A toilet without a seat." height="2195" width="2926" msid="104913574" hostid="261"></div><p>In America, you might occasionally walk into a sketchy gas station bathroom, but when I was in Europe, I seemed to step into a lot of sketchy bathrooms.</p><p>For example, in Spain, there were a lot of toilets that didn't have toilet seats; I'm really not sure why. As a solution, when I had to use the bathroom, I'd hold onto something, squat, and try not to fall in. To be fair, I didn't see bathrooms like this in any of the hotels I stayed in, but it was common in cafés, restaurants, and bars.</p><p>I also noticed a lot of bathrooms weren't free to use — you had to be a customer or a guest to use the bathroom.</p><h2>6. There weren't any shower curtains</h2><div type="image" title="Shower Curtain" height="1410" width="1881" msid="104913575" hostid="261"></div><p>Speaking of bathrooms, I noticed there wasn't a single shower curtain in sight in any of our hotel bathrooms.</p><p>Some of the showers had glass instead, and the glass would only cover half of the shower or tub. The showers were also small, which wasn't too big of a deal for me — I mean, you just clean yourself and get out — but it was tough for my fiancé, who is 6'5 and 220 pounds. He very much struggled to not splash the shower water outside the tub.</p><h2>7. There weren't any washcloths</h2><div type="image" title="A hand being held over a sink." height="2249" width="2999" msid="104913578" hostid="261"></div><p>Every time we stayed in a hotel, they had two towel sizes: the big kind and the kind you dry your hands with. There weren't any washcloths. </p><p>I thought that was so strange because every hotel I've ever been to in America has a lot of towels of varying sizes, including washcloths. When I brought this up on TikTok, people thought I was gross for wanting a hotel washcloth.</p><p>I then asked my family and friends if they brought their own washcloths with them when traveling, and they said they didn't, so now I'm not entirely sure if it's gross or not to use a hotel washcloth. The hotels we stayed in didn't provide hair conditioner either, which was odd.</p><h2>I will always jump at the chance to go back to Europe</h2><p>Despite these things, I still love Europe. I noticed during my trip how nice everyone is — the people in France were the nicest of all the places I went. It was great having conversations with the locals, and people at bars even offered us free shots at times. </p><p>Overall, what keeps me going back to Europe is the food, culture, and architecture. I love the cobblestones, the diverse languages, and the history, too. </p><p>While I was definitely a little stressed and homesick by the end of my three-week stay, Europe is a place I'll always go back to.</p><p><em>If you have a travel hack or regret and would like to share your story, email Alyshia Hull at</em> <em>ahull@insider.com</em></p>

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