Earlier this week I read an article by Gina Trapani (editor of the very cool Lifehacker website). Gina wrote about the pros and cons of taking a laptop with you on holiday in Southeast Asia (specifically Bangkok/Thailand).

The article itself was good: a blow-by-blow account of her experience with internet cafes, hotel room facilities and lamenting the lack of toilet paper. As with anything that Gina writes, there was a substantial comments trail. Nine times out of ten, the comments are just as good as the reading. Most of those commenting were clearly seasoned travelers. Most had something useful to add (buy Kleenex if you miss the toilet paper).

So why mention it? While there was nothing particularly offensive in the article or comments, it seemed like Gina and her posse (presumably mostly American) couldn't quite get over the fact that things are different outside Wyoming. No, you won't find toilet paper in most public toilets because it's a stupid wasteful invention that hasn't (yet) caught on with the masses. Yes, power outlets vary from country to country. Um, yeah.

There's something intrinsically stupid about a person who expresses surprise at the fact that the World is a diverse and varied place.