The 'Very Expensive Milkshake' meme finds its roots in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 cult classic Pulp Fiction, where Vincent Vega (John Travolta) expresses shock at the $5 price tag of a milkshake ordered by Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman). While five dollars seems like a bargain by modern standards, the scene perfectly captured the concept of sticker shock and decadent indulgence. In the digital age, the meme has evolved to represent everything from modern inflation and overpriced artisan desserts to the 'treat yourself' mentality. It is frequently used to highlight the absurdity of modern pricing or the guilt-free pleasure of enjoying something unnecessarily premium, usually concluding with the realization that the quality justifies the cost.