Both Sides of the Fence
A Tosa resident since 1991, Christine walks the dog, cooks but avoids housework, writes and reads, and enjoys the company of friends and strangers. Her job takes her around the state, learning about people's health. A Quaker (no, they don't wear blue hats or sell oatmeal or motor oil), she has been known to stand on both sides of the political and philosophic fence at the same time, which is very uncomfortable when you think about it. She writes about pretty much whatever stops in to visit her busy mind at the moment. One reader described her as "incredibly opinionated but not judgmental." That sounds like a good thing to strive for!
I'll know the recession is over when. . .
". . . I get a job."
". . . I stop putting up with two malfunctioning keys on my piano and finally call in the tuner."
". . . I no longer count mail-in rebates as income."
". . . the line at the food bank is shorter."
". . . people stop trying to fit their lives into a carryon to avoid the $20 checked baggage fee."
". . .car ads on television replace those for depression meds."
I stole the question and the answers above from the AARP Bulletin. Because no matter how often we hear that the economy is getting better, as long as it includes the continuing disappearance of jobs and reduced income or security for ordinary people, it's a bit of misleading spin.
For that confidence the financial markets are hoping to see from us, we'll have to see some real signs of economic spring for us, not just them.
The folks who deliver my mail will know the recession is over when I collect it every day. Right now, I associate the box with bills and bad news.
The folks at Brueggers will know the recession's over when I stop waiting for Wednesdays to buy my bagels. Though I might keep it up and pop for a Stone Creek latte on the side.
What's your sure sign indicator that the recession's over?
18 COMMENTS
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I'll know when the recession is over when my grown kids stop asking me for money - oh, wait. That's never going to happen. Oh well, I'm stuck in perpetual recession or is that depression?
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I'll know when the recession is over when my grown kids stop asking me for money - oh, wait. That's never going to happen. Oh well, I'm stuck in perpetual recession or is that depression?
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Unterhosen für Männer are preferred.
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Now I get it. Gas, you're German, right? That explains the difference. Loosen up!
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That underwear index is complete bull. I love it when they're all worn out. I view that as the ultimate in comfort. Gert finally gets me new ones when she just can't stand it anymore, but a year or so always go by before I finally throw the old batch away and break the new ones in. A process that takes years . . .
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I hold you in the highest regard, Gas, but I do not want to think about your undergarments!
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Keep your eye on the MUI - the Mintel Underwear Index. I am absolutely serious.
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These are people who are ready, willing and able to work, TT. And those who are working, are grateful even though their workloads have increased. That's their "mentality" and it's a perspective that I find easy to understand and to respect.
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Thank you, beckkl. We are hoping for things to get a little better in the year to come. One of her disappointments is in the choices that were made about whom to let go and whom to retain. The younger, cheaper employees who were retained often don't have the experience and attention to detail of the people who were let go - so those she oversees make an awful lot of errors they shouldn't, sometimes because they're just not trying very hard. I've often heard, and tend to agree, that down markets can give a company an opportunity to trim those who aren't productive and keep the most talented employees. Sadly, though, some companies make cuts based purely on today's salary and benefits figures - it works in the short term but is a recipe for failure down the road.
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Padraig: My aunt is in a similar situation. She's been with IBM for over 20 years. Somehow she weathered all of the layoffs, cutbacks, and outsourcing. Her reward is the workload of 2 people, but she's happy to be getting a paycheck at this point. Hopefully your wife's hard work won't go unnoticed when things pick up.
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Load more comments View all comments Back to toprugbymom - Jan 20, 2010 2:58 PM - Report Abuse
rugbymom - Jan 20, 2010 2:57 PM - Report Abuse
Gas pains - Jan 20, 2010 12:10 AM - Report Abuse
Otherwise - to each their own...
izzie - Jan 19, 2010 11:24 PM - Report Abuse
izzie - Jan 19, 2010 11:22 PM - Report Abuse
Tine - Jan 19, 2010 11:19 PM - Report Abuse
Gas pains - Jan 19, 2010 6:44 PM - Report Abuse
You can learn all about it here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/30/AR2009083002761.html?referrer=emailarticlepg
Take encouragement from knowing I purchased new briefs over the holidays - the former ones having outlived their useful life...
tosaoutsider - Jan 19, 2010 4:16 PM - Report Abuse
The job seekers have a lot to contribute including skills that have both economic and social value. The problem is that there aren't enough places that can hire them. Businesses don't have work so instead of hiring, they're laying off and there's enormous competition for every job opening including those minimum wage jobs you like to suggest as alternatives to unemployment. This is our current reality.
You keep talking about businesses that can't find "talented qualified people." Where are these places? The experience of people I know is that there is stiff competition for every job out there at every level from janitor and burger flipper on up.
Padraig - Jan 19, 2010 12:34 PM - Report Abuse
beckkl - Jan 19, 2010 10:48 AM - Report Abuse