America vs Australia

[Mattrix]

Here's one for Nodbugger!

An American decided to write a book about famous churches around the world. So he bought a plane ticket and took a trip to Orlando, thinking that he would start by working his way across the USA from South to North.

On his first day he was inside a church taking photographs when he noticed golden telephone mounted on the wall with a sign that read "$10,000 per call". The American, being intrigued, asked a priest who was strolling by what the telephone was used for. The priest replied that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 you could talk to God. The American thanked the priest and went along his way. Next stop was in Atlanta. There, at a very large cathedral, he saw the same golden telephone with the same sign under it. He wondered if this was the same kind of telephone he saw in Orlando and he asked a nearby nun what its purpose was. She told him that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 he could talk to God. "O.K., thank you," said the American. He then travelled to Indianapolis, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Boston, and New York. In every church he saw the same golden telephone with the same "$ 10,000 per call" sign under it.

The American, upon leaving Vermont decided to travel to AUSTRALIA to see if Australians had the same phone. He arrived in Australia, and again, in the first church he entered, there was the same golden telephone, but this time the sign under it read "10 cents per call." The American was surprised so he asked the priest about the sign. "Father, I've travelled all over America and I've seen this same golden telephone in many churches. I'm told that it is a direct line to Heaven, but in the US the price was $10,000 per call.

Why is it so cheap here?"

The priest smiled and answered, "You're in Australia now, son - it's a local call".

[AVataRR]

pheh

[m0loch]

get on the bus

[damo]

Old, funny if told well, and heard for the first time, plus you need to venture all over the world, not just America, and you can substitute Australia for anywhere.

Sorry

[Gongsun_Yang]

It's funny, but obviously you made a mistake, as everyone knows paradise is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

[That Bloke]

Originally posted by Mattrix

golden telephone, but this time the sign under it read "10 cents per call."
Why is it so cheap here?"

The priest smiled and answered, "You're in Australia now, son - it's a local call".

Telstra Gold phones & most other pay phones around cost 50 to 75cents a call.

[That Bloke]

Originally posted by Gongsun_Yang
It's funny, but obviously you made a mistake, as everyone knows paradise is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Who said this alledged God charecter lived in Paradise?

I didn't think there were many Christians(or any monothiest religion) in Korea.

[beowulf437]

More than a quarter of South Korea's population are christians. Prior to WWII Pyongyang was famous for the number of christian churches in the city. Many of the christians moved to the to the south in the late 40's to flee communist oppression.

I first heard Mattrix's joke about 20 years ago about Texas. It wasn't that funny then either.

[tikdoph]

USA KFC > Aussie KFC.

At KFCs in the U.S., the chicken pieces have substantially more meat on them and very little fat when compared to chicken served at KFCs in Australia. KFC mashed potato and gravy in the U.S. is also much better. Oh, and in the U.S. they have a buffet at KFC. :D

[beowulf437]

There is something that can be done where I live in the US that can't be done anywhere in Australia. This I have done, go swimming and sun bathing at a lake one day, and have a snowball fight and build snowmen the next day without leaving.

[That Bloke]

Originally posted by beowulf437
This I have done, go swimming and sun bathing at a lake one day, and have a snowball fight and build snowmen the next day without leaving.

Actually there are places in Australia where that can happen, Actually about 20 years ago in the very town I'm in it was 30degree celsius(86 degrees Farenheit) on Christmas Eve & then on Christmas day it snowed(odd since it's our summer).

Ever heard the Crowded House song "Four Seasons In One Day"? Well that actually can happen in Aus.

[Phyltr3]

Four seasons in one day?
Tasmania anyone?

[evil]

Originally posted by beowulf437
There is something that can be done where I live in the US that can't be done anywhere in Australia. This I have done, go swimming and sun bathing at a lake one day, and have a snowball fight and build snowmen the next day without leaving.


I'll 2nd that. I went surfing at the crack of dawn at Venice beach in LA in the morning and was snowboarding at lunchtime up at big bear in my board shorts. Spring skiing at its absoute greatest.


PS - The KFC near my old house in Connecticut did NOT have a buffet !?!

[beowulf437]

Actually there are places in Australia where that can happen, Actually about 20 years ago in the very town I'm in it was 30degree celsius(86 degrees Farenheit) on Christmas Eve & then on Christmas day it snowed

Yes but where I live it is a common occurence (usually a couple times a year). We have a saying here, "Don't like the weather, stick around it will change."

Hey do the KFC's in Australia serve fried livers? The ones around me do. I think they are great.

[tikdoph]

Originally posted by beowulf437
Hey do the KFC's in Australia serve fried livers? The ones around me do. I think they are great. Nope, nor do I remember seeing them at the KFCs I visited in the U.S... where in the Midwest are ya? I wouldn't mind trying some KFL. :D

[beowulf437]

I'm just east of St. Louis. If you go to the KFCs in North County or East St. Louis they always have fried livers. The ones in the rest of the area only have them one or two days a week.

[Bostonmess]

Careful Tikdoph, he's talking about cannibalism :eek: :D

[beowulf437]

Bostonmess that's just sick.

[Nodbugger]

The KFC in my town only has popcorn chicken every other month. But the KFC that is about 30 min away has popcorn chicken year round.

They are weird like that.

[tikdoph]

Originally posted by beowulf437
I'm just east of St. Louis. If you go to the KFCs in North County or East St. Louis they always have fried livers. The ones in the rest of the area only have them one or two days a week. W000h000... I was in St. Louis in January! Almost froze mah frickin' ass off. :D

[Nodbugger]

Originally posted by tikdoph
W000h000... I was in St. Louis in January! Almost froze mah frickin' ass off. :D

Spend a year in Chicago, you will experience every type of weather known to man. Except hurricanes.

[tikdoph]

Originally posted by Nodbugger
Spend a year in Chicago, you will experience every type of weather known to man. Except hurricanes. Spend a year in a library. You might learn something.

[wolfpac181]

I lived in Illinois for years....

It sucked. Flat land, polluted, and the water was smelly.

[Bostonmess]

Originally posted by beowulf437
Bostonmess that's just sick.

:o Sorry :o :(

[Nodbugger]

Originally posted by wolfpac181
I lived in Illinois for years....

It sucked. Flat land, polluted, and the water was smelly.

What Illinois do you live in?

Extremely South Western or something?

you probably lived near farms getting water out of a well. Where I live there are hills all over, a lot of forests and we get Chicago water. Which is considered some of the highest quality in the United States.

[Bostonmess]

Good job you said, I was thinking it might be full of brain killing chemicals ;)

[Ic3]

Originally posted by beowulf437
Yes but where I live it is a common occurence (usually a couple times a year). We have a saying here, "Don't like the weather, stick around it will change."

We have a saying like that for Melbourne, "Don't like the weather, well wait half an hour and it will change"

[tikdoph]

Originally posted by Nodbugger
What Illinois do you live in?The one on the Prime Material Plane. :rolleyes:

[beowulf437]

I was born in St. Louis but have lived in Illinois all my life. I have traveled quite a bit around the US, Canada and Mexico, and I have always come back.

The picture you posted Tickdoph is the view I get going to work (that is when I'm working central or southern region). So you were in St. Louis in January, which January? Because it is usually colder here in Febuary as January has that whole thaw thing going on.

St.Louis sits on the dividing line between two climate systems, the humid midcontinental and the humid subtropical. That means that we get rapid and wide variations in temperature as much as 40 degrees F in a few hours. Though we may not get hurricaines just last spring we got 82mph winds which fall into the class of hurricaine force. I love where I live though and I love the view at work so it's all good.

[freakendeacon]

best thing I have found at KFC are the fried gizzards... what you have to do is get an order of fried gizzards and then a bucket of gravy for dipping and you're in obscure organ meat heaven.

[tikdoph]

Originally posted by beowulf437
The picture you posted Tickdoph is the view I get going to work (that is when I'm working central or southern region). So you were in St. Louis in January, which January? Because it is usually colder here in Febuary as January has that whole thaw thing going on.January '04... I think it was towards the end of the first week in January. I checked out the big arch, but it was closed (it was either a Sunday or some public holiday) as no-one could go up inside it. There were a few security personnel wandering around too but I can't remember what Gov. dept they were from.

Next time I'm over there, I'll haveta bring ya some real beer... Aussie beer, that is... and I don't mean that Fosters crap. ;)

Speaking of beer!

USA beer availability > AUS beer availability

In the U.S.A. you can get beer at the local supermarket whereas in Australia you can only get it from licensed liquor only outlets... mmmmmmm... beeeeer.

[Goat Boy]

Originally posted by tikdoph
In the U.S.A. you can get beer at the local supermarket whereas in Australia you can only get it from licensed liquor only outlets... mmmmmmm... beeeeer.

It's NSW that stops that.
In Vic you can get grog from petrol stations, milk bars, supermarkets etc etc etc...

[tikdoph]

Originally posted by Goat Boy
It's NSW that stops that.
In Vic you can get grog from petrol stations, milk bars, supermarkets etc etc etc... Queensland stops it too. Anyone know what the policy is in the other states?

[Buffy]

I love where I live.
I don't think I would want to live anywhere else, even in Australia. There is any number of things I could say in Sydney's favour, we have everything on our doorstep..a beautiful city, beaches, bush, rainforest, mountains... but its going to be home to me forever for the simple fact that its where my heart is. Sounds corny, but I've lived here my entire life, its my family's home, I just wouldn't want to leave for extended periods of time.
Travelling is a big priority for me for sure, and I want to see so many places on this planet that I wouldn't have enough time in my life to accomplish all of it. Saying that, the US doesn't pop into my list of 'must do's' at all.
Its not that I don't like the place or the people, I may have some views on its politics, but that doesn't stop me wanting to go there either. My whole philosophy of travel, experience and extreme culture imersion is I want something different.. something that in all likelihood will change in my lifetime, something that, if I don't see soon, may never be the same again.. I want history, people, wonders. While the US has those things, its not going anywhere, its not changing, if anything my home is scrambbling to catch up to it and be like it.
Basically, I don't feel like im missing anything.
My views change all the time with new information, and even though i've had this stance on america for some time.. it could change, who knows? :)
Australia wins for me :D

[evil]

Originally posted by tikdoph
In the U.S.A. you can get beer at the local supermarket whereas in Australia you can only get it from licensed liquor only outlets... mmmmmmm... beeeeer.

It depends on which state and which county (some states have dry counties, like Mass). I lived in Connecticut for 4 years and you can't buy beer at service stations and supermarkets (unless it has a license) AND grogs shops close at 8pm and aren't open on Sundays or public holidays. Outside of hours we'd have to drive 25 minutes into New York to pick stuff up. New York allows beer to be sold around te clock but liquor and wine is different. When I was living in New York I had a deli downstairs that would deliver beer 24/7. Now that was living .... :banana:

[That Bloke]

Originally posted by Goat Boy
It's NSW that stops that.


Some supermarkets(in NSW) will sell 6 packs now, probably only light though

[royale]

Originally posted by Goat Boy
It's NSW that stops that.
In Vic you can get grog from petrol stations, milk bars, supermarkets etc etc etc...

:( Unfortunately untrue.
Some supermarkets have bottle shops attached to them (but not to many).

[BlueBoy]

Originally posted by Goat Boy
It's NSW that stops that.
In Vic you can get grog from petrol stations, milk bars, supermarkets etc etc etc...
Never seen alcohol sold in petrol stations in Victoria. I think that idea was shot down by the State Government.
Milk Bars ditto.

Supermarkets can only sell booze if they have a liquor license and even then liquor licenses are restricted in number.

[metalhed00]

In my state (New Jersey), only licensed liquor stores and bars can only sell alceehol. No gas stations etc... can. In our neighbor Pennsylavania, only state distibutors are allowed to sell which makes the booze more expensive and more of a trip to get it. When I took a trip to Maine (way up north near Canada), beer was available in gas stations and supermarkets which was a real treat and convience! Going to the liquor stinks if you need to get some burgers or something else too, its always two trips. Blah!

[beowulf437]

As far as buying beer, yes even the gas stations have it. Also we have bars that are open 23 hours a day, they get to choose the hour they close.

[tikdoph]

Originally posted by beowulf437
We have bars that are open 23 hours a day, they get to choose the hour they close. Heh... that's so cool. :D