can we settle this, once and for all?

ok.  I just opened a new book I'm about to start, called Predictably Irrational.   It's gotten a bit of buzz lately, and I'm pretty excited to read it - not just because understanding the way people make decisions is part of my job, but because I make decisions based on what seems rational but probably isn't all the time.
Anyway, I'll let you know how the book is after I'm done.

What stopped me from getting to the first page was a bullet point on the inside flap: "and how did we ever start spending $4.15 on a cup of coffee when, just a few years ago, we used to pay less than a dollar?"

OK.  ugh.  for the love of god... we don't spend $4.15 on the same type of coffee that Agent Cooper drinks, or that cost 5 cents in 1955. 

We spend $4.15 ( or more) on specialized coffee drinks that either a) contain more milk than coffee, b) have flavors or some other type of feature or c) involve more work than just letting coffee drip through a machine.

At Starbucks, a Grande drip coffee currently costs around $2.  People love to bastardize and make fun of how ridiculously expensive their coffee is, but if we're strictly talking drip coffee, it's not that expensive.  In fact, it's probably fairly average. 

It amazes me that this bizarre, "omigod $4.15 for coffee? what has the world come to?!!?!"  observation still occurs.  The reality is that if you're paying $4.15, it's probably for a latte, or a cappucino.  WHY IS THIS SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND?   I really just don't get why people think they are comparing equal things.  It is so, so annoying.

Seriously - this is an observation that has not only never been valid, but it is even more ridiculous when you consider that prices for both coffee beans and milk have risen drastically in the past few years.   Lattes certainly contain more milk than coffee, so why are people so surprised that they cost more?

Sorry, this is sort of a ranty post, but please.  Next time you hear someone bringing the fascinating modern coffee-sticker-shock issue to light for the 500th time, call to their attention that they are being more than a little skewed in their comparison. 

 

Blogged with Flock

Comments

[pak]

but i like complaining about the price of coffee. what else will i do with my time?

also, can i borrow the book after you? i've been meaning to pick it up...

[amber finlay]

ha - I'm sure we find lots more things to complain about. like our email ;)

you're officially next in line for the book! it's pretty good so far...