A Small Price to Pay

When faced with the decision to buy a small, regular, or large fountain drink, especially when if it is self-serve and you are dining on premises, for me it is easy: always get small. I know, it would be better to get nothing, for both health and financial reasons. But assuming that you have already made the decision to indulge, get the small. It is tempting to get a bigger size because the small seems like a total rip-off (at say, $1.19) and the next size up is only ten cents more. But why? In the off-chance that you will still be thirsty and too lazy to refill? What are the chances of that? If refilling is too much of a burden, seriously, how thirsty are you?

Also, what is a dime? Well, the way I figure is that refilling takes about 15 seconds. Ten cents in 15 seconds equates to $24 per hour. That is after tax. Assuming your marginal tax rate is 25%, the hourly pre-tax rate for refilling is $32 an hour. Would you re-fill small soda cups for $32 an hour? Granted, your shift in this case in pretty short but still, why pay more?

Also, I love how they try to guide your decision by "under labeling."  The 16 ounce cups are called kid-size or mini.  What is next?  Inadequate?  Self-conscious?  Cheapskate?  The "regular" size (that they default to) is like 72 ounces.  Regular for who?Prague?  Sheesh.