This part gripes me when they travel to “less fortunate” or “poor” countries where eating out is $0.50-2.00 but the same or similar thing is $30-500 in the US, however: people earn different levels of income. Like in that “third world” country, people may only live with $10 a day while Americans live with either $7.25 / $15 per hour in minimum wage, so it’s not comparable as to why the prices are seen as “cheap” by Americans.
Now, put it this way: if an average joe were to earn the FEDERAL mandated minimum wage of $7.25, is buying a whole weeks worth of groceries affordable with that alone (excluding rent, utilities, insurance, etc)? Do you consider a $200 semi-fancy dinner at a restaurant (not over the top luxurious, but formal & fine dining) with family or friends “cheap” in the US whilst earning $15 (or even $30) per hour in minimum wage?
The ONLY time that I have EVER spent that kind of money on a meal was to take my wife out for her birthday once to an EXTREMELY high-end restaurant with a chef’s tasting menu kind of thing. It was by far the most extravagant and overly ridiculous meal I’ve ever had and I will NOT be doing it again. The money was for the ‘experience’ and not the food. Gimme some fried chicken over caviar any day.
Typical ‘eating out’ meals are around $30 - $40. Grocery store trips are between $100 and $300 depending on what we need. Fast food is rarely over $30, and if it is it’s because I got it delivered.
I tend to be fairly frugal when it comes to grocery shopping. I’ll go to Aldi for most things, or look for ‘store brand’ knockoff products elsewhere. I swapped ground beef for ground turkey years ago and I can get a pound of that for $2 at Aldi.
how long ago was that?
a tasting menu for two in my city is over $1000+
$200 is like a first date a pub these days.
Two years ago? I think? Might be more. I’ve slept since then.
I was going on $200 dinner dates in 2007, but back then that was a nice place that today would cost you $600+