People want to know the cost of a kidney in Iran. In Mauritania, they are more interested in the price of a slave. How much a nose job costs in Korea or a tummy tuck in Mexico are also widespread curiosities.
Those are just some of the findings of a recent study conducted by Fixr.com, which took a look at how Google autocompletes this question: “How much does a x cost in (country name)” — h/t Kottke.org. The search engine fills in common queries and reveals at least something about how different countries are perceived around the world.
Sometimes, what it tells us isn’t always that clear. And, often, it’s less than flattering. Is watermelon really big in Japan? Beer, not wine, in Argentina and coke in Chile? College in El Salvador? In vitro fertilization in Australia but vasectomies in New Zealand?
This map follows a similar post from earlier this year, when Fixr.com showed the results of just the United States. Vasectomy costs are also of interest in Arizona and South Dakota, while the price of breast implants is a common search in Arkansas and Indiana. Draw your own conclusions.