Reflections

How Hard Is The Recession Hitting You Personally?

Posted by on Feb 16, 2009 | 4 Comments

Each evening the news bombards us with the dire situation that out country is facing, hitting us with unemployment numbers that show how bad the situation has become. We are hear about the business that have closed, how vehicle sales have declined and how the economic situation gets worse each passing day. We also see how the Dow has plunged and that the markets are having trouble rebounding from the crisis [insert any crisis here], that has plagued our economic situation.

With all of the doom and gloom hitting us in the face ever day, it does make one wonder just how bad things really are. What brought this into perspective was last Saturday, Valentine’s Day, in which we ventured to Springfield, Missouri for a meal. We left early knowing that the restaurants may be crowded. Crowded was a complete understatement of the situation.

We went to Cheddars, Olive Garden, TGIF and Macaroni Grill that all had 2 hour waits. The traffic was unbelievable as we went from one area to another. We finally went to a restaurant called the Old Chicago Grill that only had a 25 minute wait which was more like 45 minutes, but the food and service were great and we were happy just to have our belly full.

So what is your experience been where you live?

Let us know please.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/theoracle/ the oracle

    My experience, after speaking to people, is that many aren’t capable of determining that they should be amending habits, and preparing for the storm ahead.

    Others are aware, and have decided that, like the Grateful Dead song, that, they might be going to Hell in a Bucket, but at Least They Will Enjoy the Ride.

    Things like car maintenance, computer updates, medical checkups, and anything else that can be set aside are, and some things that are considered lavish, are less prevalent, but certain things, like eating out will not be completely foregone.

    Most of the restaurants have acknowledged this, and have ‘deals’ . Many of these are places that have never had them before.

    Though not a Michelin stop by any means, we like the local Sizzler for lunch. It has deals, but instead of being packed at 10:45 am as it used to be last August, it is like a ghost town until about 12:15. Since I have things I can do at the table, and no time pressures most days at that time, I have sat through the lunch hours several times. They are clearly way, way down in sales at lunch.

    Of course, it could be the 10.4% unemployment in our county that is doing it.

  • BRC Granny

    I think using wait times at low end restaurants on an over-hyped consumer day like VD is a bad sample to determine the level of economic crisis.

    In San Francisco, there are more and more empty storefronts in the malls. My favorite book store is closing. My company has laid off about 60 people in california over the last three months (including myself) out of 200 employees. I have multiple friends who have been laid off. I know lots of folks who are cutting way back and saving cash.

    I’m not sure if you are implying that this is all just the press spouting doom and gloom and the reality is that things are just peachy out there. Well, I’m here to tell you they are not.

  • http://financiallight.terapad.com Mark

    The people in the areas I have visited are similar in how they are responding to the economic downturn. Caution is in fashion and fear is one step behind. Where are we headed?
    Nobody knows for sure. Hopefully our society will become better as a result of this crisis. Let’s get back to the basics-family, God and the other important virtues that are sometimes missing in our busy material society.

  • Anonymous

    Nicely said