[PUGACHEV]

I've noticed that the Brits pay more than we do for gasoline, computers, printers, cameras and lenses, and ham radio equipment -- a lot more. I suppose that's the price you pay for the privilege of not being cheap.

[jveritas]

And that is why the standards of living in Britain and Europe is much lower than in the US. On average we make more money that the Europeans, we pay less taxes than them, and almost everything is much less expensive to buy in the US than in Europe. Therefore we will have much better standards of living than the Europeans. The same will go when comparing the US to Japan or any other nation. The only 2 nations that come little close to us in standards of living but not equal are Canada and Australia.

[This Just In]

During summer a few years back, we were lodging at a motel when I had a friendly conversation with a couple from the UK. While we chatted, I couldn't help but notice they had suitcases full of cartons of cigarettes and new clothing. They noticed the surprised expression on my face and said that they always buy lots of clothing and cigarettes when they come to America because it is too expensive back home.

I have a relative who lives in Germany. Whenever he's in the U.S. he always buys a lot of clothing for the same reason.