No Shoes No Shirt No Problem

Reynolds Abroad has a much greater reach and political influence than I could have ever imagined. Mere days after I suggested Canada should eliminate the penny Finance Minister Flaherty announced they will cease production of our little copper (and nickel) friend. I guess I will have to be careful what I write next so I don’t mess with Canadian culture too much while I’m away. If anyone has any issues they’d like me to bring up with our government feel free to pass them along and I’ll see what I can do.

How much regulation is too much? After a life time in Canada and a couple visits to Cambodia I believe the answer lies somewhere between the ways of both worlds. At home we can’t even cross the street without the long arm of the law slapping us if we do it wrong (yes I’m referring to my jaywalking fine of $121). Traffic lights are optional, seat belts don’t exist and if you can somehow hang on to a motorized vehicle long enough to get where you want to go, then so be it. There are a few curious exceptions. The police will set up random check points similar to our drinking and driving road blocks but the fines they give out aren’t for the violations you would expect. It is illegal to drive during the day time with your light on, but there is no fine for driving at night with it off??? Turning right on a red light will also lighten your wallet, but blasting straight through the same light likely won’t. Driving without a Cambodian license will cost you $1-$5 depending on your negotiation skills. The list of strange fines and allowed practices would go on forever. The lack of rules also applies to other things that are tightly regulated in North America. I can’t imagine many of the restaurants and shops would come close to passing the strict health codes of more developed nations. There doesn’t appear to be an age limit for purchasing and consuming cigarettes and alcohol, although I’m sure officially it is written somewhere. Try walking directly from Kits beach into Vera’s burgers and ordering food in just your shorts and you will be turned away. In Cambodia you are lucky if the chef is wearing a shirt and isn’t smoking while preparing your meal. And now for the most ridiculous law in Canada (there is probably more absurd laws, but this one really annoys me)…No consumption of alcohol in public areas. We already have laws against being intoxicated in public and others against mischievous behaviour so why is it so awful to have a beer on the beach? I understand glass on the beach is a bad idea, so why not ban glass bottles and allow us a delicious cold beverage out of a can or plastic container. Cambodia does appear to need some adult supervision and at home in Canada it would be great if big brother would get off our backs, at least a little bit.