patrick.net

Re: Unemployment, I can attest to that MAX is 450 a week, and after 18 years of being on the same JOB I had to use the benefit for 8 weeks. I felt horrible, and while I thanked god for the income, I felt so so well underfunded and at fault!

rob918 says

I disagree that crowds don’t equal dollars unless it’s a free event. That’s just plain silly. Hotel rooms in SD aren’t free

Bars: there will always be lots of patrons--they just tip less during a recession (ask any bartender--I've known many as a travelling alcoholic)

Malls: I'm a buyer for a large retailer and can tell you that traffic in malls means not very much. Right now, there's still plenty of traffic, but sales are down YoY for the last two months, and YoY for the overall year. People go to the malls to look and not buy. Just like drunks at a bar will still drink but not tip much. Back to school means nothing anymore if you are selling discretionary (i.e., high margin) merchandise.

Restaurants: Folks will always eat. Like in the malls, they will browse but not buy, but they will always stop at the food court because you have to eat (but you don't have to have another pair of stripper shoes); cooking at home is not any cheaper than going out, either, unless you are feeding a family of 5. People just order cheaper entress, skip the dessert, and don't order a bottle of wine unless 6 people are at the table. Again, spending shrinks but crowds do not.

People do not want to be sequestered in their homes by the recession. They will go out until they literally cannot afford gas to drive.

dadab says

It is pretty hot out there. Save on electricity on the weekend just relax at a Mall

YEP1

thomas.wong1986 says

YEP1

Incidentally, this was taped during the early '90s recession. . . .

Philistine says

thomas.wong1986 says

YEP1

Incidentally, this was taped during the early ’90s recession. . . .

Hehe