Monday, May 23, 2011

Vice: fault, depravity, sin, iniquity, wickedness, corruption

Alcohol:  A common part of the culture.  Pubs are a local fixture in every neighbourhood.  Beer beer beer.  Overly bingey patterns are common.  Drinking age is 18.  Most cafes and little breakfast places advertise their 'licensed' status.

Tobacco:  There's no smoking in any buildings and some college campuses are smoke-free.  But there is lots of smoking in the street.  Cigarettes are expensive; people roll-their-own while walking down the footpath.  Smoking cessation programmes abound.

Gluttony:  Kind of like how French women don't get fat.  Food involves real butter, real mayonnaise, nice cheeses, proper sauces with eggs and cream, and drinks full of sugar.  So eat up and enjoy your nice food.  But, it's only just the 'brunch' serving size at dinner.

Gambling:  Slot machines can be found at pretty much any public house, and proceeds go back into the community.  Casinos are legal too; we live three blocks from the country's biggest.  Lottery winnings are not taxed.

Interpersonal ahem:  Nudity is kinda not shocking in public.  Racy TV shows are common.  Prostitution is most thoroughly legal.  

Drugs:  The biggest public health concern is P.  Everything that's illegal in the US is illegal here, but if the prevalence of hydroponic growing concerns is any indication, the unofficial policy on herbal intoxicants largely appears to be 'what, I didn't smell anything'. 

Pride:  It is not good to be a tall poppy lest you be trimmed.
 

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