I’ve seen both Gowalla and Foursquare, but there really aren’t many people using the services in South Africa or other countries in the world. Is checking-in a purely american pastime?? Apart from the rewards offered by certain stores, is there any real value that can be garnered from checking-in?

USA:

NY Penn Station

http://gowalla.com/spots/623366

(380 people checked in)

http://foursquare.com/venue/19462

(11744 people checked in)

France:

Eiffel tower
http://gowalla.com/spots/21869

(67 people checked in)

http://foursquare.com/venue/185194

(303 people checked in)

South Africa:

V&A Waterfront cape town
http://gowalla.com/spots/182354

(12 people checked in)

http://foursquare.com/venue/518280

(83 people checked in)