I have to admit that I never had any plan to attend the Vancouver Olympics given that they are thousands of miles from my part of Canada and, this weekend at least, I am in a region so vastly different from there - if only because there is snow on the ground and freezing temperatures. But if I were there "unbelievable" is not the word that would come to mind:

"It's unbelievable," said Sukh Mattu, who waited for a table at four downtown establishments before giving up at each. "There are lineups everywhere and everything's overpriced. There should be more beer gardens." Many venues are being criticized for their inflated prices. Irish House is charging $9 for a plastic cup of Guinness, for example, while German Fan Fest is charging $8.25 for a beer. Brandi's Show Lounge is charging $10.25 for a pale ale during their special "Olympic hours."

Are we bad hosts? That is the sort of thing that creeps up the nape of one's neck when you hear allegations of gouging. But - really - beer gardens in Canada in February? Don't you go to events like the Olympics assuming that this is not a bargain hunting expedition? Wouldn't you even pay more at a major league sporting event for any given regular season game? Look, I am not trying to defend the Olympics. There's a wee bit too much of the old goose step in its legacy for that. But moaning about being dinged during this sort of gathering is a bit naive.