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Tis the result of gradual inflation of the U.S. dollar since the 1970s, allowed by the Federal Reserve. I'm 22, although I certainly don't spend like those described in the OP's post.
I completely disagree. Nickel and diming when out for a meal with friends/family is lame. If appetizers are being ordered, get in on that. Same thing with alcoholic beverages and desert.
People go out to eat in order to have a good time. It makes people uncomfortable if you are being cheap in a social setting like that. If you are hard pressed for cash, go to a someplace like a Deli or Chipotle.
Your attitude proves the point that some folks think they are entitled. Hopefully, you won't regret your decisions later in life. It will be too late to cut your restaurant bill then in order to have a successful retirement. Hopefully, the drinking, desserts, and appetizers were worth it!!
If you are hard pressed for cash, go to a someplace like a Deli or Chipotle.
Your attitude proves the point that some folks think they are entitled.
Choosing a less expensive restaurant rather than a more expensive restaurant shows entitlement? Really? Your response make no sense. One could argue that there is a lot of entitlement evident in your reaction. You are effectively saying that you're entitled to decide for someone else whether it is best to economize by going to a less expensive restaurant or by nickel and diming the dining experience offered by a more expensive restaurant. Furthermore, unlike whatever entitlement you seem to perceive in GiantRutgersfan's perspective, the flavor of entitlement mentality arguably evident in your perspective adversely affects others: Some people use an extension of the logic you use to economize the dining experience offered by a more expensive restaurant by short-changing the gratuity. Of they use similar logic to rationalize antipathy and related reactions to offerings that take steps to bundle that which is offered together so that the nickel and diming is not possible (such as minimum charges per diner). Before throwing around aspersions such as you threw at GiantRutgersfan, you need to be sure what you're saying doesn't exhibit the same characteristics as that which you're criticizing.
His kids will learn what they can and cant afford eventually.
In most cases, I don't think this is true. People who have spendy lifesyles in their 20s tend to overcommit to high rent/mortgages, car payments, kids, cars, pets, etc. Then by the time they wake up (if they ever do), they find there is no quick or easy way out of the expensive lifestyle they created for themselves.
I completely disagree. Nickel and diming when out for a meal with friends/family is lame. If appetizers are being ordered, get in on that. Same thing with alcoholic beverages and desert.
It's nickel & diming for you because that's your habit. For me, it's just normal. I don't order appetizers because of the expense and because between that and the meal, it's really way more food than one needs. I don't want to be fat and unhealthy like most Americans. My parents recently treated me to a few dinners out. I still skipped the appetizers and ordered a coke at one meal and water at the other. I don't drink much and when I do I get a bottle of wine from the grocery store. I have never paid for an alcoholic beverage at a bar or restaurant. It's not deprivation. It's just my habit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GiantRutgersfan
People go out to eat in order to have a good time.
Obviously, you don't understand that it's possible to have a good time without alcohol and appetizers. I wish I could send you to a Latin American country for a month....those folks (even the middle class) would think it's insane to go out to eat as much as we do....and they're as happy or happier than your average American.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GiantRutgersfan
It makes people uncomfortable if you are being cheap in a social setting like that.
No. It would make you and (maybe) the folks you hang with uncomfortable (but probably not as much as you believe). Not me and my friends and family.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GiantRutgersfan
If you are hard pressed for cash, go to a someplace like a Deli or Chipotle.
Snide comment not appreciated (not that there's anything wrong with a deli or Chipotle).
It's nickel & diming for you because that's your habit. For me, it's just normal. I don't order appetizers because of the expense and because between that and the meal, it's really way more food than one needs. I don't want to be fat and unhealthy like most Americans. My parents recently treated me to a few dinners out. I still skipped the appetizers and ordered a coke at one meal and water at the other. I don't drink much and when I do I get a bottle of wine from the grocery store. I have never paid for an alcoholic beverage at a bar or restaurant. It's not deprivation. It's just my habit.
Obviously, you don't understand that it's possible to have a good time without alcohol and appetizers. I wish I could send you to a Latin American country for a month....those folks (even the middle class) would think it's insane to go out to eat as much as we do....and they're as happy or happier than your average American.
No. It would make you and (maybe) the folks you hang with uncomfortable (but probably not as much as you believe). Not me and my friends and family.
Snide comment not appreciated (not that there's anything wrong with a deli or Chipotle).
Totally agree. I guess I'll have several points.
1. It's not all that easy to save for retirement.
2. Oftentimes, in my opinion, one doesn't get that much more incremental happiness out of spending significantly more rather than perhaps saving that money for retirement.
3. I'm 60 and I've noticed over the past couple of decades the there is less of a desire to delay gratification in order to save for retirement.
4. One can have a happy life without gross deprivation. Cutting back on discretionary spending isn't a great price to pay to help oneself be secure in retirement.
I'm all for everyone having freedom of choice. Im also for personal responsibility.
I am in my 40s and I still have never spent $50 for dinner or $25 for lunch. And yes, I could if I wanted to. But expensive dinners and lunches are habit forming, and therefore best avoided altogether.
and what makes you think I couldn't even if I wanted to?
I agree with your second part. I use to eat out every day a year ago (cut it down to once a week). It was so hard to cut down my eating habits. I especially miss the convenience.
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(not that there's anything wrong with a deli or Chipotle).
