Here are some answers of a design layman:

I would use a small of countries in the chart. Comparing cities like New York, Shanghai and Houston to nation states is definitely not a good thing. I would either use cities or countries, not both.

The world map behind the grid is unnecessary and can confuse people. The title already explains that the chart refers to prices in several parts of the world.

The condom shape of the bars may be seen as funny, but it may also distract and even offend people. As people see this graph for the first time, they may get the erroneous impression that there is a correlation between the price of condoms and the size of penises worldwide. I am sure the Irish and the Dutch would argue there is such a correlation, though. To avoid tackiness and ambiguity, in this case regular bars may be better.

With regard to the colors of the bars, I would go for one color. Why would green mean cheap, yellow regular, and red expensive? I am not sure everyone will associate these colors with the indicated price levels.

These are my 13 suggestions:
- Remove colors (they provide no additional information);
- Remove background (irrelevant);
- Start the Y axis at zero;
- remove the "$" char;
- Less grid lines (steps of $5);
- use a bar chart, not column;
- Use a real bar, not a condom;
- Add source, date;
- Change title to "Condom Prices in some" countries/cities;
- Do not mix cities and countries;
- Use a color without explicit meaning;
- Avoid vertical alignment in x axis labels
- Use a better font

The biggest problem for me is the misuse of the metaphors/images: the condom together with the map of the world. First of all: they don't relate to the meaning of the chart: pricing.

For me (and much of the Western world) these images (combined!) will trigger connotations and associations like: STDs, health, HIV, AIDS, unequal distribution, (in)availability of anti-conceptives, and the like.

So after having conceived all these mental images, one reads the title and the gimmicky effect of the condoms as bars is completely lost (at least to me) and it just becomes really bad taste.

But it doesn't end there: the use of colors gives the whole thing a biased feel (everybody knows things cost more in Europe - apples and oranges) and the stretching gives it an awkward perspective: especially the biggest and smallest 'bars'.

And the data! It's a mess! The price of what? 1 condom, 6 condoms, 24 condoms? I am Dutch and no way I'm paying 10€ (~15,5 dollar) for a condom! States and countries from all over the globe are huddled side by side: it tells you nothing.

Tssss.. shame on the makers of this eyesore!

I like the line right under the chart:

"Click for larger size."

@Jago

You can do maps in excel.

Furthermore you can download free/cheap maps wich you can color by hand (using ppt for instance) or in flash, so you have a more interactive map. Just Google and you will find ;)

I think that you are missing the point. The graph got your attention and much larger distribution in the net *because* of the tacky use of condoms instead of bars.

Considering that the intended audience is probably mostly US-centric, the mix of countries and cities does not hurt, but adds to the appeal of the graph.

I would probably only drop the map background and make clear what does the cost refer to (packet of 12?)

When comparing prices around the world, a more useful measure might be something like how many days does someone have to work to earn the price of a pack of condoms, or some similar measure of affordability, like condoms priced in terms of the cost of bread or beer or something.

First, there is clearly a problem with scales or currencies. What would happen to world population if a single condom costed between $4.5 and $18?

Colors don't add value.

Using a condom for each column does not either. I would use a standard column.

The world behind, does not add value either. Even worse, it seems to have been done by some China-centric or Australia-centric individual. If I see Africa in the left of the map I would try to infere something from that (and I do not think there is a reason)

The condoms not only get longer, but wider, leading me to assume the difference are larger than in reality (surface ratios are the second power of what should be)

I would change the title to something more appealing: "Sex in Shanghai can save you some bucks" (although in Argentina condoms are at USD0.30 ea)

Mixing cities and countries... makes no sense.

Too much data...