just how much is reasonable and how much consumer should spent ?
if a plate of chicken rice (after all the price hike saga) can cost $3.50,
what makes a bowl of “bak chor mee” noodle $4 ?
considering that we can actually cook the noodle ourselves where it takes designated skill to make roast chicken

there was an actual case which somehow signifies that consumers in the past were smarter ? given that they have been through tough times and poverty, especially our parents’ generation ? compared to the new generation today probably foolishly spent without thinking and got reaped by unjustified supernormal profiteers ? 

the story goes, many years ago when wanton mee was still $2.50, a stall owner decided to make it $3, at that point of time, consumers were seemingly more selective, without any coordination or arranged notion, all “uncles” and “aunties” and many people boycotted that particular stall ! WOW ! it was such a sweep

after 2.5 months or so, the wife “surrendered” and solicited loudly “no more increase! Back to $2.50” This is really very satisfying knowing that consumers moderate the market supply and demand conscientiously compared to new generations now who “surrendered” instead ? by submitting to a “no choice” attitude ? there is no strong will in this lollipop generation ? not been through much hardship before ? and pay thinking they can afford still ? even to a $8 western food per plate ? (averagely $6.50 compared) without considering the net worth of the item ? well, this might be something for consumer(s) to ponder over

this is a vicious cycle, the property owner should be taught a lesson ? as the stall vendor increases prices exorbitantly to pay rent to the landlord, consumers become “suckers” and bleed with that unreasonable burden ? if consumers stand up for themselves !? stall owner get the signal ? as they go out of business, the landlord will also receive consumers’ message “you are too greedy” ! If consumer(s) do not stand up and succumb to worthless conveniences and notion of a weakling, you might hear whispers from landlord “the people here are so stupid”

this is no longer a question if one (you) can afford, even if one can afford, it is a vicious cycle of “sinners” breeding a bunch of day–dreamer–greedy–supernormal–profit outfit within the economy that do not commensurate with average value and price, vendor stupidly pay the landlord exuberant rent, and probably more stupid consumers follow suit, consumers have the right to choose who to be taught a lesson, the vicious cycle should end at “nobody rent your stall as you are too greedy”!

many heated discussions evolve around staple, a necessity and not luxurious item
probably, no daily hawker food should exceed $3.50