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?
No. Minimum wage is/was never supposed to be a wage for an adult to support themselves. It’s a wage floor for part time workers. Also most state have their own higher wages. in HCOL states it’s 15-17/hr and that’s still not enough to support yourself in those states.
But that doesn’t stop people from buying stuff like that, people often spend more than they make due having access to credit.
Also… fancy dinners in the USA in a major city are like $500 or more. Not $200.