Coffee Price Swap Stirs UAE Trend

Coffee Price Controversy in the UAE: Why Residents Swap 40 Dirham Coffee for 10 Dirhams?
A new trend spreading like wildfire on TikTok has swept through the residents of the United Arab Emirates: more and more people are posting videos showing how they are replacing their 40-dirham specialty coffee with much more affordable, 10-dirham alternatives. At first glance, this may seem like just a temporary "anti-trend" flare-up, but deeper societal and economic issues lie beneath the surface. This movement goes beyond a simple coffee choice – it's much more about consumer consciousness, sensitivity to consumer prices, and not least, the impact of social media on business pricing.
What Makes a Coffee Worth 40 Dirhams?
UAE cities, especially Dubai, are packed with cozy coffee shops, terrace spots, designer interiors, and international coffee brands offering specialty roasts. Operating these types of venues isn't cheap: high rental fees, premium ingredients, well-trained staff, marketing expenses – all of these naturally get folded into the pricing. However, when the price of a simple latte or flat white reaches 40-50 dirhams, many begin to question: is this experience really worth it?
Many accept that the location, design, and brand name are part of the package; meanwhile, more people are choosing to seek cheaper alternatives – be it at small local cafes, petrol stations, or vending machines.
The TikTok Trend Promoting Consciousness
The videos proliferating on TikTok not only address coffee prices but also highlight that consumers are making conscious decisions about their finances. These videos often juxtapose the "lifestyle" experience with basic consumer needs. Some posters explicitly emphasize that their decision is not against quality, but against excessive pricing.
This type of movement also confronts coffee shop owners with the fact that social media is not only a tool for advertising but also a platform for real feedback. An innocent-looking trend can influence business traffic – positively or negatively.
Social Exclusion Over a Cup of Coffee?
However, the debate doesn't stop at prices. Behind the trend lies a deeper social issue: coffee shops, which were once venues for meetings and social life, have increasingly become status symbols. For those with lower incomes – such as students, young professionals, or families with several children – regular coffee-going can represent a significant financial burden.
Inflation, rising ingredient costs, and increasing utility fees all contribute to turning simple coffee drinking into a luxury. And while no one disputes that businesses are in a difficult situation, social sensitivity and value-for-money continue to be key factors in consumer decisions.
Where are the Limits of Expressing Opinions?
Increasingly, posts appear on social media that criticize certain cafes by name, and sometimes even launch campaigns against them. This, however, is a dangerous area. The UAE applies strict laws concerning online defamation and slander. Although the right to freedom of speech is guaranteed by law, its limits are clearly defined: expression of opinion must not harm others' reputation or dignity.
Exaggerated, personal comments appearing in Google Maps reviews or TikTok videos – for example, berating a manager’s "arrogant style" – can easily lead to legal consequences. According to regulations, sharing general experiences – such as "the coffee was expensive" or "service was slow" – is entirely acceptable, but defaming a particular individual or targeting a cafe in a smear campaign is illegal.
Where to Go from Here? Coffee, Value, Community
The current debate is more than a TikTok trend. It serves as a kind of social mirror, in which residents are rethinking the balance between consumption, status, and actual needs. A well-selected 10 dirham coffee can deliver the same joy as a 40 dirham specialty latte – especially if the choice is conscious, not compelled.
For coffee shops, this is an opportunity, not a threat: new pricing strategies, promotions, loyal customer discounts, or even strengthening community involvement could help regain customers' trust. For consumers, awareness and responsible expression of opinions can be the key to finding their own coffee experience – in terms of price, quality, and ambiance alike.
Ultimately, coffee is not just a drink. It's a societal symbol, a momentary break, a conversation starter. And what it's worth – that can be measured not only in dirhams but in humanity, attention, and respect.
(Source of the article based on a new TikTok trend.)
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