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IMHO
PCVA 10 Reviews 310 reads
posted

In my most humble opinion, the majority of people for whom the recession is now over were never really hit by it in the first place.  And while we may not be experiencing an ongoing recession by the academic definition, the realities of high unemployment and very limited credit access are likely to keep any economic growth at abysmal levels for the foreseeable future.

While the DC area does tend to be an independent economic model, what I've heard from ladies elsewhere in the country is that this isn't likely to be a banner year financially.  Several I've spoken with are compensating by shifting focus to either lower volume with incentives for repeat and steady clientele,  or attempting to reach a higher volume through discounts and special offerings.

In the end, providers are really proprietors of small businesses, and no matter how you look at it, this is not a particularly good time to be in a small business.

nlackew733 reads

I've been surprised recently by the level of talent coming to the area recently.  In terms of looks/attractivness, it's been pretty low.  So, can we take this as an economic indicator that the recession is over or winding down?  

You have to admit, poverty does have its good points :)  

On the other end of the scale though, when things are booming, that brings out the lookers too.  Ladies that are trying to keep up with the Jones's.

Bet they don't teach this in Econ 101!! Ha!!

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Foggarty694 reads

Not sure how you are just noticing this but there have been allot of ladies visiting over the past year and a half...

Fog

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bantyrooster544 reads

That used to be true. This year has a lot of local small business men scared. Even the strong companies are worried and just breaking even. Overhead has gone up but prices haven't. The snow storms this last winter did not help. I personally think that is is just now catching up to this area.

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Sswede621 reads

look at restaurants activity during peak hours.
You will have no problem getting seated.

The Mayflower Hotel declard bankruptcy and reorganized their debt package earlier this year. Thats THE Mayflower Hotel on Connecticut Ave. stating it was due to low business activity.

Many people continue enjoy the lifestyle to which theyve become accustomed, but there is a large segment that is undergoing real financial crisis in their lives.

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igtddb541 reads

You are confused about the Mayflower, Swede.  It is a Renaissance hotel owned by Marriott, not a stand alone business.

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Sswede854 reads

Well actually The Mayflower is a stand alone business using The Marriott name. Its an easy thing to mistake!
The Mayflower Renaissance Hotel is owned by Rockwood Capitol who on Sept 18th reported the inabilty to make paymnets on their note and forced refinancing with the lender to avoid default.
The press made quite a big deal of this which is the only reason I know.

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EF24T717 reads

are always packed.  The recession is very real, but DC has been insulated from it, in part due to the large federal government workforce here .....

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hound_dog69610 reads

The DC "middle class", which is really upper-middle or lower-upper class, is generally doing OK, except for those that got too greedy buying homes. I do see some signs of problems in those categories too... Watch out for next year's budget...

However, IMO, the "normal middle class" and below are sucking it up.

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AlfredReader559 reads

There probably is a bigger safety net but the hit has been pretty bad:
--I got a number of "special deals" at hotels I frequent in DC a lot.  A typically $350-450 room for $99, and they threw in a $50 meal voucher.  THAT kind of discount I haven't seen in 30 yrs of going to DC
--E-mails declairing I'm a "valued preferred client" with all kinds of deep discounted specials at places I went to once 5 yrs back
--My Co is hiering a few positions 2000 miles from DC and we got tons of applications from the DC gov & contractor types who we never would have had apply before.  Overqualified guys saying they're happy to take a 40% pay cut from their last job and move themselves.
--Gov offices you walk through that are one-third vacant desks because of hiering freezes

The business IS hurting in DC, though I'd agree not as bad as other areas.  The flow of lobbiests, etc, will soften the blow and is much of the client base for providers coming to DC, but even that is less.  Yea, the flights in and out of DC are full, but there's a lot less flights than there used to be.

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PCVA311 reads

In my most humble opinion, the majority of people for whom the recession is now over were never really hit by it in the first place.  And while we may not be experiencing an ongoing recession by the academic definition, the realities of high unemployment and very limited credit access are likely to keep any economic growth at abysmal levels for the foreseeable future.

While the DC area does tend to be an independent economic model, what I've heard from ladies elsewhere in the country is that this isn't likely to be a banner year financially.  Several I've spoken with are compensating by shifting focus to either lower volume with incentives for repeat and steady clientele,  or attempting to reach a higher volume through discounts and special offerings.

In the end, providers are really proprietors of small businesses, and no matter how you look at it, this is not a particularly good time to be in a small business.

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