Budget and choice main deciding sungkai factors
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
DECIDING what to eat during sungkai Ramadhan seems less of an ordeal compared to choosing where to eat with the countless Ramadhan buffet promotions offered by hotels and restaurants around the country.
Noor, a final year student at Institut Teknologi Brunei enjoys eating out with her family as she rarely did so during other months as she was busy with her school work.
However, choosing the "perfect" place to eat is a hassle as it has to appeal to each member of the family.
"It is not always about the price although it is one of the factors. Sometimes we have the misconception that expensive buffets are more delicious but not always the case," she said.
Her family chooses the best that offers value for money and this means that the food must be good and the price is reasonable.
As it is impossible to know how the food tastes at all the restaurants, she turns to her friends for advice and reviews of the places they have been to.
"It's fun. My friends and I make it a point to try out as many of the buffets before puasa ends," she said.
Ambience is also one of the criterias according to Abdul H, a government officer who prefers to eat at a relaxing atmosphere and this usually means the places that offer buffets at a costly price tag.
"I don't see it as wasting money. After being hungry for the whole day, I deserve to eat at leisure and not have to rush and also queue up," he said.
"They also have more choices," he said adding that he felt satisfied and that it was more value for money to him.
As Syawal looms ahead, more people are joining in the rush to do up their houses from the living rooms to the kitchen for a more festive look. Eating out becomes the norm.
Fatimah, a mother of three does not like to make a habit of eating out as she prefers to cook at home.
"(But) my husband will insist on eating out once or twice during puasa," she said adding that this is done towards the end of the Ramadhan month when she does not have the time to cook.
"It depends on what the family wants to eat. It is a majority wins situation," said Fatimah adding that although it usually means parents over children.
When asked whether the "price war" between hotel and restaurant deals influences their decision, she said that one cannot eat everything and considers it a waste to pay so much when one can only eat a bit. "We limit ourselves to a $15 budget for adults," she added.
Rahman, an undergraduate at Universiti Brunei Darussalam agrees with budgeting as being the critical factor for choosing the place to break fast at."It's simple for me. My choice depends on whether I have enough money or not," he laughed. "If it's the end of the month when my allowance comes out, maybe I will agree to go to the expensive buffet."
He does debate on the buffets that fit his budget at that time. But he drew the line at "really cheap places" and prefers more established restaurants.
"I don't think I want to risk paying for food at unknown restaurants," he said.
The Brunei Times
Noor, a final year student at Institut Teknologi Brunei enjoys eating out with her family as she rarely did so during other months as she was busy with her school work.
However, choosing the "perfect" place to eat is a hassle as it has to appeal to each member of the family.
"It is not always about the price although it is one of the factors. Sometimes we have the misconception that expensive buffets are more delicious but not always the case," she said.
Her family chooses the best that offers value for money and this means that the food must be good and the price is reasonable.
As it is impossible to know how the food tastes at all the restaurants, she turns to her friends for advice and reviews of the places they have been to.
"It's fun. My friends and I make it a point to try out as many of the buffets before puasa ends," she said.
Ambience is also one of the criterias according to Abdul H, a government officer who prefers to eat at a relaxing atmosphere and this usually means the places that offer buffets at a costly price tag.
"I don't see it as wasting money. After being hungry for the whole day, I deserve to eat at leisure and not have to rush and also queue up," he said.
"They also have more choices," he said adding that he felt satisfied and that it was more value for money to him.
As Syawal looms ahead, more people are joining in the rush to do up their houses from the living rooms to the kitchen for a more festive look. Eating out becomes the norm.
Fatimah, a mother of three does not like to make a habit of eating out as she prefers to cook at home.
"(But) my husband will insist on eating out once or twice during puasa," she said adding that this is done towards the end of the Ramadhan month when she does not have the time to cook.
"It depends on what the family wants to eat. It is a majority wins situation," said Fatimah adding that although it usually means parents over children.
When asked whether the "price war" between hotel and restaurant deals influences their decision, she said that one cannot eat everything and considers it a waste to pay so much when one can only eat a bit. "We limit ourselves to a $15 budget for adults," she added.
Rahman, an undergraduate at Universiti Brunei Darussalam agrees with budgeting as being the critical factor for choosing the place to break fast at."It's simple for me. My choice depends on whether I have enough money or not," he laughed. "If it's the end of the month when my allowance comes out, maybe I will agree to go to the expensive buffet."
He does debate on the buffets that fit his budget at that time. But he drew the line at "really cheap places" and prefers more established restaurants.
"I don't think I want to risk paying for food at unknown restaurants," he said.
The Brunei Times
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