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You are missing the point. I was paying $20 for a product that in reality is worth $8 to produce. Now, I am paying $12 for a product that is equal in quality

You are missing the point. I was paying $20 for a product that in reality is worth $8 to produce. Now, I am paying $12 for a product that is equal in quality and has an increased quantity. The only difference is that with the first product, I was tricked into thinking I was getting a better value. The description was fancier, the name of the recipe was exotic, there was an image on the menu, it was at the top of the page. The other one was simply "chicken rice", on the back of the menu, squeezed between meals that had names that sounded better. Don't judge a recipe by its name. In fact, I was paying more for less. Edit: Yes, I was happy with the first recipe before knowing that I was paying premium for a meal that was in fact, very simple. The issue isn't my overall happiness. It's the fact that I was tricked into buying a product only by its description and position on the menu. Since it had a picture and I am always in a hurry, I picked it over the more simple "chicken rice" that was in fact just as good (same ingredients, same spices, same chef) while being cheaper. Was I happy with the original recipe? Yes. Was I wasting money on it? Yes. Am I as much happy with the new cheaper meal as I was before? Yes. Am I saving money? Yes.

JoeAltmaier 12y ago
There's that utilitarian viewpoint again. No, I didn't miss the point. I'm taking a chiding tone, suggesting that by counting the cost, you miss the value. If you enjoy the meal, and its in your budget, then all is well.
- 6d0debc071 12y ago
  You could be enjoying more meals by counting the cost - or working less and enjoying more free time. I feel like that's more along the lines of the point.
  - fl0wenol 12y ago
    If you're spending that much time analyzing what food to get when you're out to avoid getting "ripped off", I think maybe you should just learn to cook for yourself because it's a lot cheaper and rewarding in the long run. Someone who thinks that way probably isn't a good tipper either, so enjoy the free ride on the restaurants' pathetic cashflow. There's a reason why margins are high on certain menu items in restaurants; running restaurants are a rough business, labor-heavy, and the day-to-day take is volatile and meager, often to do factors entirely out of your control.
    - Raphmedia 12y ago
      Calm down, no need to be throwing plates at each other. Nobody is stealing anything. We are talking about picking the most cost effective option on the menu while intelligently avoiding traps made by the menu's designers. Picking the item that is "under the fold" instead of the one that has been carefully crafted by the designer for you to pick. Personally, I use the money I save by taking those items over the featured items by ordering more wine! Everyone is winning here.

JoeAltmaier 12y ago

There's that utilitarian viewpoint again. No, I didn't miss the point. I'm taking a chiding tone, suggesting that by counting the cost, you miss the value. If you enjoy the meal, and its in your budget, then all is well.

6d0debc071 12y ago
You could be enjoying more meals by counting the cost - or working less and enjoying more free time. I feel like that's more along the lines of the point.
- fl0wenol 12y ago
  If you're spending that much time analyzing what food to get when you're out to avoid getting "ripped off", I think maybe you should just learn to cook for yourself because it's a lot cheaper and rewarding in the long run. Someone who thinks that way probably isn't a good tipper either, so enjoy the free ride on the restaurants' pathetic cashflow. There's a reason why margins are high on certain menu items in restaurants; running restaurants are a rough business, labor-heavy, and the day-to-day take is volatile and meager, often to do factors entirely out of your control.
  - Raphmedia 12y ago
    Calm down, no need to be throwing plates at each other. Nobody is stealing anything. We are talking about picking the most cost effective option on the menu while intelligently avoiding traps made by the menu's designers. Picking the item that is "under the fold" instead of the one that has been carefully crafted by the designer for you to pick. Personally, I use the money I save by taking those items over the featured items by ordering more wine! Everyone is winning here.