Euro Envy: 10 things we really should import to South Africa
From farm-fresh produce to handmade clothes and pet toys, local markets bring the community together.
Image: Tumi Pakkies Independent Newspapers
There’s something about travel that opens your eyes to how other people live, and makes you quietly question why we aren’t doing things the same way back home.
South Africans are resilient, warm, and inventive, but it’s always fun to dream about ways we could make everyday life just a little bit better.
Whether it’s sipping an espresso at 10pm in Italy, napping after lunch in Spain, or enjoying a city where bicycles and dogs are welcomed just about everywhere, it’s hard not to come back from Europe with a bit of lifestyle envy.
Brent Lindeque from Good Things Guy recently took to social media to list 10 things he’d love to bring back to South Africa from his European travels, and honestly, I’m right there with him.
Here’s what made his list:
1. Weekly markets that bring suburbs to life
In small towns across France, local markets roll into a new village each day of the week like clockwork. Locals plan their shopping, social lives and even their lunches around market day. From farm-fresh produce to handmade clothes and pet toys, it’s a beautiful blend of community and commerce. The markets wrap up by midday, just in time to settle in at a café for lunch.
2. Proper bicycle lanes
Safe, extensive bike lanes are a city game-changer. They make commuting, exercising, and meeting friends a breeze. And in a place with our sunshine and mild winters? Cycling should be a no-brainer.
3. Lime Bikes and electric scooters
If you’ve ever zipped around Paris or Berlin on a Lime scooter, you’ll know the joy. They’re fast, fun, and perfect for short city hops. Picture this: brunch in Parkhurst, a stroll at The Wilds, then a zip over to Rosebank. All without starting your car once. We’re ready.
4. Fruit trees on every street
In Monaco, the streets are lined with orange trees - and you can just help yourself. Not only does it reduce hunger, it literally beautifies the city. Johannesburg’s climate is perfect for this. Let’s plant apple, peach, and plum trees in every suburb. Feeding people and making the city more lush? That’s a win-win.
5. Afternoon naps
In parts of Spain and France, everything shuts down in the heat of the afternoon for “la sieste”. Between 2:30 and 6:30pm, shops close and people rest. No emails. No meetings. Just proper downtime. Imagine the mood improvement across South Africa if this was standard!
Dog friendly venues are more common in Europe.
Image: Instagram
6. More dog-friendly places
In Europe, dogs go everywhere - from museums to restaurants. In South Africa, many of our dogs are lucky to have gardens, but they also deserve adventures. Being more inclusive of our four-legged family members wouldn’t just be fun - it would be good for business too.
7. Trains that actually work
Imagine boarding a comfortable, affordable train from Johannesburg to Cape Town, with stops in Bloem, Gariep and the Winelands. Wi-Fi, snacks, reclining seats… and no airport queues. One can dream.
8. Bottle caps that stay attached
A small change with a big impact. In Europe, plastic bottle caps are attached to the bottle — reducing litter and making recycling easier. It’s a simple fix that helps marine life and the environment. Why aren’t we doing this already?
9. Bigger, better Tic Tacs
Apparently, Europe’s got a whole Tic Tac range we’re missing out on. From fruit mixes to supersized versions, the variety is wild. We’re not saying this would change lives, but it would make them a little sweeter.
10. Late Summer sunsets
This one’s out of our control, but wow - imagine the sun only setting at 11pm. In parts of Europe, people leave the beach at 9pm, shower, and still head out for a sunset dinner. It makes summer feel endless. We’ve got the weather - now if only we could borrow a few extra daylight hours.
IOL Travel