Hunglish.orgSuicide Prevention, does it have anything to do with the last of the old-style Hungarian gas stoves and why they were created the way they are? This author tells why he thinks Hungarian gas stoves lack in true functionality and purpose.
Written by Scott SavoieI know it sounds funny, but turning the stove on can be a little strange in Hungary.
For some reason, with the old-style Hungarian gas stoves, you have to keep the button pushed in while turning for several minutes to an hour before the flame will stay lit.
Usually my breakfast is fully cooked before the stove is burning properly.
I am guessing that this is some kind of anti-suicide measure. The time it takes to turn on the stove is like a "waiting period” for buying a gun. It gives you some time to think it over, get bored, forget why you wanted to die…
Back when the Soviets were running the place, Hungary was the suicide capital of the world.
Now, with a little autonomy, some prozac, a bit of palinka, a few sorts of Unicum and some fruit, Hungarians are feeling much better now. They are not all that suicidal anymore and have fallen statistically to 4th or 5th: That’s out of medal contention.
The new suicide capital is Lithuania, followed closely by Russia and former Soviet states. Maybe Lithuanians are depressed about their proximity to Russia, or maybe Lithuania just want to be number one at something.
Left behind from Hungary’s suicidal legacy are millions of long-starting ovens and stoves.
Does this design really even prevent suicides? Or does it just prolong the cooking of breakfast?
Couldn’t one – if one were so inclined – still imolate him/herself once the flame is lit?