| Jianshuo, simply comparing absolute prices does not make much sense. At least I would not say food is expensive in the States compared to average incomes of American people. Even a graduate student makes $1000+ as RA or TA per month usually, way more than those in China, let alone full-time employees. If not dining out at luxury restaurants everyday, food should not be a concern at all for most of the people with stable income in the States. As for prices charged by restaurants/fast food chains, they just cannot be as low as RMB prices/8 considering the much more expensive labor/rent/utilities/other costs.
There is definitely no need for you to worry that "you are the poor in NYC". Do not judge everything from the perspective of short-time visitors from poor countries. I'm sure you are among at least the top 2-3% of Chinese people income-wise. You would be in the same good shape if you live in the States. BTW, I was surprised that you had to spend $10-14 for two in McDonald's. Maybe NYC's McDonald's did not have the 99c value menu. :) |
Life in New York is Tough for Me