wow... What is the cost of a dinner in let's say a Red Lobster in Melbourne? Maybe I'll try to find some menus on line.
Well, I couldn't find a Red Lobster, but I did find an Outback Steakhouse in Australia, US and Canada.
Australia:
Outback Burger: $14.99
Bloomin' Onion: $8.95
http://www.outbacksteakhouse.com.au/menu/menu.pdf
Canada (Ontario):
Outback Burger: $10.99
Bloomin Onion: $8.49
http://www.outback.ca/foodandmenus/pdf/ontario_menu.pdf
USA (Ft Lauderdale FL):
Outback Burger: $7.99
Bloomin' Onion: $5.99
http://www.outback.com/foodandmenus/pdf/C3.pdf
currency:
today $1US = $.99 CAD = $1.1 AUS
So our currencies are virtually identical for comparison and in purchase power.
The Australian identical meal cost $4.46 more than in Canada, and $9.96 than in the US (give or take due to exchange)
So this admittedly unscientific survey shows that it is pricier up front to eat in Australia, but then, the wait staff aren't held to the whim of the customer for revenue augmentation.