We are used to those of coffee or various beverages: but vending machines can also provide incredible surprises. There are hundreds of examples around the world, some of which are truly breathtaking. On the other hand, a vending machine can be found on every street corner: in Italy alone there are 2,405,000 vending machines, practically one for every 25 inhabitants. Here at home, tradition reigns and so with a few coins you can drink a coffee, any hot drink or buy a snack.
But there are vending machines that are as strange as they come. Don’t believe it? Take a trip to the United Arab Emirates where you will find those with gold bars. You need a credit card to get them and an example can also be found in Italy, at Linate and Orio al Serio airports.
Strange vending machines, from bait to ties
In China, on the other hand, there are vending machines for live crabs. Yes, you read that right: they are stored at 5°C, a temperature that keeps them in a state of torpor. And what about vending machines? Great if you’re left with an empty smartphone. Too bad about the price: two hours for a half-hour recharge. Perhaps better to do without your phone for a few hours!
If you are a fishing enthusiast, you will be pleased to learn about the Live Bait, the vending machine for worms and other baits. But there are many strange vending machines: for example the one for ties. Important meeting at the last minute and you don’t have a tie with you? Well, now there’s no running home to do, just take to the streets! What if it suddenly rains? At home, street vendors would spring up like mushrooms, in Japan they wouldn’t do much business given the competition from the umbrella vending machine. And around Tokyo you can also find hot dishes in vending machines. But there are also pizza vending machines and even bread vending machines. In short, there is no lack of imagination travelling the world: and you, which strange vending machine have you come across?
