Recession?

Newpapers and mass media continue to harp on the issue that the whole world is in a prolonged and unprecedented recession daily. Banks going to bankrupt, companies closing down, lots of people remained jobless or unemployed, ... etc.

But, is the actual situation really that pessimistic and gloomy?

Look at the supermarkets and restaurants. Are they crowded with people?

In the supermarkets, people bought goodies as if they were free of charge. Yes, maybe is for the festive season. But if one is really jobless or in debts, does he or she still have the mood to spend?

In the restaurants (I was at one of them located near Jurong East train station), there were no empty tables during that even. Luckily we had made a booking some weeks earlier. In fact, we were told that since our dinner was at 6pm, we had to leave by 7.30pm as there would be a next round of diners.

For a simple set dinner of 6 persons, it cost $200+. We had only yusheng, sharkfin soup, steamed fish, duck, vegetables and yam pudding. We added "peng chai" which was an additional $178.

With the chinese tea and other misc items (peanuts, napkins etc), the dinner was close to $450. Mind you, we have chosen the simpleest ie cheapest set dinner. Other diners' bill would have cost even more.

It is definitely too much to spend $450 for a dinner. Yes, it is a reunion dinner but do we have to go to that extend when times are bad?

I can only say that times are not as bad as protrayed or we have yet to feel the effects.