It was a long day when my wife suddenly asked me to have fine dining in one of the fancy restaurants in Jakarta. They named it Osteria Gia, which means gia restaurant in Italian, located in Plaza Indonesia, a high-caliber mall where high-profile Jakartans such as celebrities, politicians, government officials, and expatriates were attached. I ordered Ravioli Cacio e Pepe while my wife had some pasta that I cannot recall. Either ravioli or pasta that we had, the taste was astonishingly delicious, but when we looked at the bill, the price was extremely high. But we don’t have a problem paying such an amount of money because this is their secret: they don’t treat people based on their looks. Even when you misspell the menu, the waitress always smiles, is friendly, helpful, and always says “good choice.” Something that I had difficulties finding when I entered some “b-class” restaurants.
The price is a filter in and of itself. The eatery is aware that when an individual walks into a posh restaurant, the price has already been factored in, so regardless of how they dress, what they wear, or what kind of vehicle they drive, they must be carrying a substantial amount of cash. The server will greet you with a big smile, give you more beverages or refills, and occasionally the chef will even step out of the kitchen to inquire about the flavor. This type of restaurant provided you with an experience in addition to taste and appearance. The price itself is essentially the interior design, menu, taste, staff friendliness, aroma, and everything else that embodies the experience.
Regarding that, we have been hearing some chatter lately regarding the finest school for our daughter, Sara. This year, she turns four, and we have to take her to school since she needs a friend and regular activities to advance her social and sensory development. Since we aren’t wealthy, we don’t really have many options, yet we still have some. We do, however, take into account factors including the school’s worth, program, location, and cost.
There is one institution where the monthly tuition exceeds my income. Although my wife had some concerns about “the networking” that Sara will eventually acquire, I was the one who recommended that I forgo such alternatives. Nevertheless, I do not like that particular school. I attended both public and private schools during my upbringing, and in Indonesia, public education is generally superior to private education—with the exception of few affluent private schools that use Cambridge curricula. Therefore, even though Sara is the greatest student in their class, I have no issue with her attending some middle-class schools.
From what I’ve said before regarding the restaurant, I understand that money speaks, just like price, and that statistics don’t lie. I am aware that the top universities in this nation don’t usually have low tuition; in the past, they did, but their costs were so expensive that most members of the middle class couldn’t afford them. Assume that the best school’s environment and surroundings differ from “b” school’s, particularly in terms of accessibility, socioeconomic status, and facilities. However, since not everyone is able to inherit from Bernard Arnault, all I can do is carefully select Sara’s best school, keeping in mind that we may be able to transfer her to a private institution in the future.