title: How do I know if my PostgreSQL server is using the "C" locale?
body: <p>I'm trying to optimize my PostgreSQL 8.3 DB tables to the best of my ability, and I'm unsure if I need to use <code>varchar_pattern_ops</code> for certain columns where I'm performing a <code>LIKE</code> against the first N characters of a string.  According to <a href="http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.3/interactive/indexes-opclass.html" rel="noreferrer">this documentation</a>, the use of <code>xxx_pattern_ops</code> is only necessary "...when the server does not use the standard 'C' locale".</p>
  
  <p>Can someone explain what this means? How do I check what locale my database is using?</p>