Bits and pieces

Take a look at this map. It displays the different spending proclivities of the average person in different countries, with spending separated into a number of different categories. Just from this map, you can really tell which countries are on top, just by which countries spend mostly on recreation. Plus, the sheer scale of the spending on recreation (ie, more than the total average expenditures in many countries) is notable as well. The last interesting thing I noticed was that the alcohol and tobacco purchases in the lower tier of countries was almost always roughly the same as the recreational expenditure, if not more. It’s not a perfect case, but I wonder if that says that poorer countries are more likely to use their leisure time to drink.

And what’s up with Brazil, anyways? Does that imply they party all the time? From reading the comment thread, it sounds like the equivalent amount purchased is even understated because alcohol can be gotten so cheaply in Brazil. Perhaps a trip to Carnaval is in order to see for myself.