My Top 10 Favourite Things About America

Actually, I lied. These are probably not my top 10, they are simply a collection of things I've noticed and loved. In no particular order:

1. You can buy a (non-brand) can of drink from vending machines for 25c.
   
2. You actually matter to those big well-known websites. Amazon delivers overnight, Google Maps will give you directions to almost anywhere, all those tech products which take forever to make it to NZ are right there on NewEgg.com for your consumption.
   
3. All the broadband plans are unlimited. Stupid Telecom.
4. Cellphone charges are dirt cheap. 10c a minute and 5c text on prepay. Contract rates are even better.
5. You can get a full license in about a week (for over-18's anyway). Of course that assumes you already know how to drive...
   
6. The toilets, which seem incredibly wasteful of water but don't splash you when you flush because the water all just disappears down the hole and then fills back up.
7. 1750ml Smirnoff: $15. 1000ml Baileys: $13. 750mls of Agavero: $30. Enough said.
   
8. Customer Service. Perhaps it's just our accents, but people in shops really do seem to go out of their way to help you. Even the ones who don't expect tips and can't be on commission.
9. The weather. I can't say the weather has been perfect, we've apparently had more than our fair share of rain over the past weeks, but is extremely dry (low humidity).
   I like dry, it means less sweating.
10. "2 for $3.00" does actually mean "1 for $1.50" here! Not only that, supermarkets include the price-per-pound on all the labels for easy comparison. Of course, this is somewhat offset by the hidden sales tax and an incredible number of mail-in rebates, but I'll take what I can get.