How Aware is Milei of Argentina’s Rising Cost of Living Crisis?

Although I had long been aware that prices in Argentina had soared since a particular event, the impact didn’t hit me hard. I generally don’t have much of a spending habit, and my primary mode of transportation is by bus or subway. Additionally, I tend to eat more Chinese food, which has always been on the pricier side in Buenos Aires. Overall, it was still manageable. That was until I decided to dine at a local mid-range restaurant… The current prices are truly staggering.

The most surprising part is that this isn’t a high-end establishment; we simply enjoyed a traditional Argentine barbecue, a common beef dish found in almost every Argentine restaurant. We ordered two mixed grill platters, two salads, and each of the seven of us had a glass of orange juice. The total came to 200,000 Argentine pesos, which is approximately 1,200 RMB at the current exchange rate, or around 170 RMB per person.

The main reason we frequented this restaurant was its pleasant ambiance and reasonable prices. On our first visit, the cost was about 60 to 80 RMB per person, and the food was exceptional, making us feel like we had discovered a hidden gem. Even as prices gradually increased, it seemed to hover around 100 RMB per person.

But this time, with a standard order for the number of people, it reached this exorbitant amount…

Every day, I find myself pondering the living conditions of ordinary Argentine people. Are they managing well? Does anyone really know? Those who advocate for shock therapy, it’s already October, and in just two more months, it will be a year… How long will this shock continue? Wages remain stagnant, and there are school strikes almost every other day.

I didn’t fully understand before, but now I realize it’s a testament to the high moral standards of the people that they haven’t resorted to looting. They haven’t caused much trouble, just the occasional strike…

But in the end, it’s their own choice. It’s particularly tough for those who came here because of Argentina’s once low cost of living.