Pen-Elayne on the Web

Compare and Contrast

Quarantining Dissent (via Melanie Mattson) versus Bob Harris' Aussie travelog. Besides the observation that "freedom of speech means something here in a way it simply doesn't back in the States," Bob also mentions something I keep forgetting - that in Australia, as in the UK, waiters and cabbies are paid a decent enough wage that tips are unnecessary. You tip people if you think their service is worth a bit extra, not because you know they won't make enough without your generosity as here in the States, where tipping is factored into low service-staff salaries. Update: For extra credit, you might want to throw in Tim Dunlop's travelog as well - New Orleans through Aussie eyes.