The article waxes so eloquently about this beloved product that I would have mis...

GFischer · on Sept 20, 2014

The union-busting incident, while dark, seems to be an isolated incident.

If you saw the kinds of gangsters that become union leaders in South America these days, you'd at least consider using mercenaries.

The local Coca Cola union head here in Uruguay is not a man to be trifled with (Richard Read), he has gotten them incredible benefits (it pays better than programming over here :P ).

And the guys in Argentina are legitimate thugs and crooks (well, so is the government :P )

See for example:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Moyano

Edit: a side effect of such union power is that Uruguay has the most expensive Coca-Cola in the world, a 2 liter bottle costs 3.5 dollars after taxes (so almost twice what it costs in the U.S.)

nitrogen · on Sept 20, 2014

Edit: a side effect of such union power is that Uruguay has the most expensive Coca-Cola in the world, a 2 liter bottle costs 3.5 dollars after taxes (so almost twice what it costs in the U.S.)

Does that reduce consumption to the point that there are noticeable population-wide health benefits?

UrMomReadsHN · on Sept 20, 2014

A 2 liter doesn't cost $1.25 here, a 20 ounce does. I can't recall what a 2 liter costs because I don't buy them but over $2 for sure.

GFischer · on Sept 20, 2014

Hmmm, they were way cheaper in Toronto last time I was there, not sure about U.S. prices but they should be even cheaper.

Instacart shows them at U$ 1.99 for San Francisco. Ironically the 20 ounce ones are the same price.

Edit: https://www.instacart.com/store/items/98541

GFischer · on Sept 20, 2014

Nope, it just means we have a large amount of substitute drinks (and Cola-flavored generic drinks) from lots of local brands.

wodenokoto · on Sept 20, 2014

3.5 dollars? That's what 0.5 liters of cola cost in 7-11 in Denmark!

GFischer · on Sept 20, 2014

However, a 2 liter bottle costs between 21 and 26 krone in a supermarket, so, apparently we're even :)

It just feels way more expensive due to the purchasing power differences I guess.

And yes, a 0.5 liter coke in a gas station also costs 3 dollars here :P

Edit: we might need a Coke index in addition to the Big Mac index :)

There's Expatistan.com and Numbeo, but I think it gets outdated or inaccurate sometimes (for example, the Coke price in Montevideo is outdated).

http://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?coun...

I can't believe rent in Copenhagen is U$ 2.500/month.