No matter which country we’re from, we can still easily identify a bad service – one that isn’t worth our money, like getting expensive pedicures in salons but still aching from that ingrown nail the day after – from a well-delivered service like paying for a new haircut from a professional hairdresser.

Same goes for items and stuff that we buy and consume occasionally and sometimes on a daily basis. While overpriced items differ in every country, some are still priced at the same degree, whether you’re from a middle income country like the Philippines or you’re from a superpower like America.

Here are some of the items in the Philippines that I find overpriced. I still get to buy some of these though – but only when other options are unavailable.

Movie tickets
Is it the ultra-large super screens or the demand for the latest movies? We all know that watching movies from the big screen adds more to the ticket worth. But does it really have to cost that much?

In the Philippines, watching movies in theaters range from 150-350 pesos depending on the mall. This goes for both local and foreign pictures. Gone are the days when you can catch a Harry Potter movie for only 80 pesos.

If you’re tired of paying for movie tickets, you can invest in a large flat-screen television at home and cut the cinemas out of your monthly family budgets. You can rent and watch movies at home with less the price and less the people.

Movie popcorn
Or any other food sold in movie theaters for that matter. Imagine buying popcorn in theaters for 90 pesos – but almost everything we buy in cinemas are expensive anyway – even toilet papers found in vending machines inside bathrooms cost more than the ordinary roll of tissue.  

So before heading to your favorite movie theaters, take a detour to the supermarket first. The money you can save from buying chips and drinks in the supermarket is enough to buy you an extra movie ticket.

Starbucks coffee
Or any gourmet beans brewed and sold in retail coffee shops in the country. What’s wrong with brewing coffee at home? Apparently, you don’t only pay for the actual coffee you drink but also for the brand. And of course you can’t just grow gourmet beans in your backyard. But still…

Airport food
Apart from expensive airline tickets which make travelling even within the country almost a luxury, airport food is another thing that made the list. Does it have anything to do with the place? Apparently, yes. Airports, just like movie theaters, are not made for eating. Restaurants and stores within airports provide hungry travelers with food but the airport can function without them. Also, competition is less so prices are high. Talk about law of supply and demand.

Movie star talent fees
Okay, so this one’s a little off the list but I have to include it. A little pose, a little pout and a little smile equals a million bucks. Need I say more?