Very recently I was witness to a sad fact of life in a upper middle class restaurant in Chennai city. This restaurant keeps on rising the prices of each single vegetarian item that is served and, though customers crib about the high cost, still flock to this restaurant as it enjoys a big brand and is known for being "safe" in terms of not causing any health problem to any customer, as the quality of raw materials is very good.
A family of five were seated just next to my table, and I was the only one when the father expressed his idea that the wife and the three kids stop with whatever they had eaten and better walk out. However, neither the wife or the children would listen to him, and insisted on ordering fresh fruit juices. It is a known fact that such things are the costliest in this restaurant. The father suggested that they could have it in another shop.
The mother said no, and the children followed in a chorus. Left with no choice, the father walked out, went to the nearest ATM, took out some money, and reluctantly agreed to pay for what his wife and children wanted. Between the four of them, it would have costed at least another four hundred and fifty rupees.
The father tried his best to hide his emotions, but it was clear that he was not happy at all. Conspicuous consumption of this kind is very dangerous and should be avoided. Fresh juices of a fairly good quantity are available in the neighboring shop suggested by the father.
All family members should learn to live with less, or totally avoid putting the bread winner to such huge trouble. Will it not be a good thing to have some self-discipline in this regard?
