Quote Originally Posted by Doomer View Post
Government monopoly on alcohol and tobacco (in Ontario at least). Comes with higher prices and unhandy stores working hours
Really? You have special state owned shops for that in Canada too? I thought that was unique for Scandinavia. It's a fantastic source of income for the state though! Probably the best deal they ever did...

Since moving back to Sweden all of these quirky things feel decidedly less charming. Fortunately I drink so little that a couple of trips to this shop a year more than covers for my drinking needs. But my word, is the staff in this shop rude!! They treat the customers like naughty children that don't deserve to even come in the shop...

How's the free medical care in Canada? In the UK it's more or less ok, although the experience is not luxurious, just basic "needs met". In Sweden you actually have to pay about USD 20 or so to go to the Doctor nowaday. However, when you paid about 150 USD you don't have to pay any more for a year - that is the maximum spending limit, including medicines. All of it then becomes free. It probably costs more administer the payments than what they actually make from it, so it seems a bit pointless. The feeling in the UK is nicer - no money exchanges hands at the surgery or at the hospital. In Sweden the standard is marginally higher though, since private health insurance is very unusual. In the UK most well-to-do people still prefer to go private if they have stay in the hospital.