Economics 101

Apple Daily compared burger prices and found McD's guilty of price discrimination. Apparently, a Double Cheeseburger at the Peak is 50% pricier than anywhere else in Hong Kong. And a Fillet-o-Fish in Ho Man Tin costs 50 cents more than in Sham Shui Po.

A McRep explained that the variation in burger prices has to do with several operating factors, including rent.

I think the explanation is justified, only if the McStaff working at the Peak are paid higher wages than those elsewhere. And why shouldn't they be? The world's seventh favorite tourist destination took in 21.8 million tourists last year. God knows 21.7 million of those came by two-hour train rides through the Shenzhen border and can barely speak Cantonese let alone English, but nonetheless I'd assume that basic broken English is among the requirements of any staff at any tourist hotspots in our city. Human Resources 101: The higher the requirement the higher the pay. No? And anyhow, hasn't ripping off tourists always been among the core strategies in boosting our economy?

As for residents of Ho Man Tin, as far as I know, they are all big fans of the Fillet-o-Fish and are actually eager to chip in another dollar for extra tartar sauce. But there's always a few wise guys who want to save 50 cents. They manage by driving their asses to Sham Shui Po in their Mercedes Benzes.