Interesting editorial in this morning's New York Times by Roger Cohen contrasting societies where you can get a shoe shine (i.e. 'Merica), and those where you can't (i.e. France, Germany, etc.). Whether you agree with Mr. Cohen's politics or not, there are 2 things that I took away from the article:

1. Any article that uses the phrase "shine-rife" to describe a nation-state is my kind of article;
2. Pack your own shoe shine kit if you're traveling to France or Germany.  

You can read the piece here.