Ten Reasons Why Oz is Better Than US, and Vice Versa.

1. People talk to each other in queues in the US. In fact, it seems mandatory. On the first count the US wins, on the second Oz—it's super friendly and I really enjoyed talking to people, but I hate to have to do it.
2. Fewer people in the States seem to smoke. Maybe there are just more people and so you don't notice, but the percentage seems lower. Perhaps it is because you have to pay for your own healthcare. This a win for the US—I am tired of walking through stinky man-made clouds on every sidewalk.
3. Melbourne has the best food. Possibly in the world if I may be so bold. One for Oz.
4. Ditto on the coffee.
5. The average US supermarket sells about twenty-eight varieties of pop tart. But sometimes it seems like that is all they sell. Overall diversity is lacking—unless you count peanut butter options, but I am not counting peanut butter options. (Eeough.) Draw.
6. The US has Walmart—supermarket-cum-department store on steroids and an in-depth study of American culture.
7. The US has phenomenal theme parks and squillions of them. The Gold Coast just doesn't compare.
8. Unexpectedly, some places in the States feel safer than Melbourne. New York for example. I know some places aren't, but have you been to Norlane, Broadie or Crown lately.
9. Accessable snow. The US has it is drafts, blizzards and flurries. You don't need a National Park Pass to get to it. You may unexpectedly find yourself driving in it though. I would just do like the guy we saw in Washington when it had been closed down by blizzard—cross-country ski to work. How cool!
10. America has Americans. I have been to America seven times (eek, I hadn't worked that out before) and stereotypes are stereotypes; people are people. I can't fault the sweetness and genuine loveliness of most people that I have met in my travels. Travelling always makes you think people are lovely, for the most part. It's because you feel lovely, I suspect. Compared to other places I have been, Americans are just as nice as everyone else. And its always the crazy, idiosyncratic, obsessive and just plain weird ones that I like the most.

Tally: Oz 2; US 5; Draw 3. Interesting. New York: I am available if you want me. I can be reached at 9 ...