When I first went to live in a big city in North America, my almost immediate impression was the astonishing level of order in the place. Trains and buses were clean and smartly maintained and operated on schedule. I was amazed to sometimes find myself the only passenger on a bus or streetcar late at night; how could they afford this level of service? Traffic was rigidly regulated. Health standards were adhered to. Potholes in roads were quickly repaired, and I never saw a dead dog on the road. The city was replete with signs telling you where you were, and how to get where, and where to park. Government employees serving the public were efficient and courteous (they would even display a sense of humour). In Toronto, bars closed at midnight;
