Don’t tell me. I have been there. No longer ago than last…
““Don’t tell me. I have been there. No longer ago than last Tuesday—or was it last Monday?—I went into one of those big restaurants on the Unter den Linden and ordered a small steak, French fried potatoes, a piece of pie and a cup of coffee—and what do you think those thieves charged me for it? Three marks fifty. That’s eighty-seven and a half cents. Why, a man could have got the same meal at home for a dollar.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Mencken satirically highlights how small‑town diners overcharge for simple meals, exposing the absurdity of price inflation.
In simple terms: Prices are inflated for basic food items.
Key Takeaway
Beware of hidden costs.
Themes
consumerism
inflation
satire
Mood
wry
critical
humorous
Type
observational
satirical
When to use this quote
- dining out
- budgeting
- travel
- everyday purchases
Key Concepts
economics
price gouging
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify fair pricing?
- What factors drive price differences?
A Different Perspective
The anecdote may exaggerate for humor, not reflect all establishments.