-> That's a huge difference!  When I was in and near London last year, we notic 
-> that most things like that were roughly double what we pay here in the US. 
 
-> I have a co-worker who's a Brit, and he blames it on the exchange rate!  I 
-> blame it on the "value-added" taxes.  We have some interesting 
discussions. 
  
We have value-added taxes here in Canada. I think they exist in the 
States too. But we pay only about half what Brits pay for the same 
goods or services. 
  
My father died last year, and left most of his money to be divided 
equally between my sister, who lives in England, and myself. She has 
pointed out, not entirely in jest, that she will be able to buy only 
half as much with her share than I will. I pointed out that there was 
nothing stopping her from moving here when I did. 
  
Fortunately, she's already rich. She married a millionaire (in pounds). 
So this disparity isn't going to cause a great family rift. 
  
I agree that the exchange rate is the main factor behind the 
discrepancy. If a pound can buy only as much as a (Canadian) dollar 
can, then why should we have to pay two dollars to buy a pound? 
  
                             dow 
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