Easy to see why America outsources...

Without getting into the moral implications of globalization and outsourcing, we thought you might like to see why it is so attractive to U.S. companies. Here are some sample prices from Kolkata, India (in US dollars).

Hotel room with private shower and cable T.V. - $8.50 USD
1 hour of internet at a cafe - $0.33
Large plate of vegetable chow mein - $0.25
Cup of chai tea - $0.05
Plate of chicken masala - $0.70
Overnight train x-country (includes bed, linens & a.c.) - $14.00
Overnight bus x-country (18 hours) - $6.00
Human rickshaw rides (man pulling cart) - $0.50 - $1.50 depending on distance
Bottled water (1 liter) - $0.20
Public bus fare - $0.06

We aren't quite sure what an hour's worth of labor is but an hour cab ride would cost far less than minimum wage in the states and that includes the cost of petrol.

Our last night in Kolkata we treated ourselves to a nice dinner where the waiters dressed in tuxedos - the total bill for the evening was $4.00 USD.