Restaurants and recession

We only eat out about 1/3 as much as we use to, and then we only eat "healthy" foods in order to avoid obesity (read diabetes, high blood pressure, layoffs, etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseaum).  Whether it’s restaurants, clothing stores, or any other retail store, we’re very conscientious about the Quantity, Service, and Quality we’re being offered.  Remember the 4 basic axioms of Economics 101: 

1.     Rule #1: The customer is always right, Rule #2: When the customer is wrong, see Rule # 1.  (Example: Wal-Mart’s return policy is one reason why they’re getting more business & showing a profit during this recession/holiday season.)

2.     If your server or sales person won’t handle your complaint(s) to your satisfaction, then take your complaint(s) to the manager (in a calm, objective, courteous, and respectfully manner) – he has the authority to do something about it, if s/he cares.  If s/he doesn’t, then let them know that you’ll be taking your business elsewhere.  (Example: The quality of the seafood at Red Lobster was so bad that I complained to the manager, since the server was unmoved.  Since he wasn’t interested in my complaint either, I’ve never been back to any of their Red Lobster restaurants – that’s been over 10 years now.)

3.     Quality is “what your willing to accept”. (Example:  If you accept whatever they offer by way of Value, Quantity, Service, and Quality, they will never know otherwise – and if they know that only 1 in 10 dissatisfied customers will ever say anything, the one who does complain may represent lost business from 9 others.)

4.     The Golden Rule of Economics:  Those with the Gold, make the Rules.  You’re the customer, you’ve got the gold, and the retailer wants it.  Therefore, you make the rules.  If he doesn’t like it, you’ll take your gold/business elsewhere where your business and your gold will be appreciated.

It'sMyMoney

Living on retirement fixed income makes it imperatiave we curtail 99% of our eating out.  When utilities, gasoline, groceries, etc. go up in price, it gives us less and less to spend on "unnecessary" things.  Eating out has become something we do about one time a month.....when we were eating out two or three times per week.  If Obama increases our taxes, we won't be eating out at all....not even one time per month!

Living on retirement fixed income makes it imperatiave we curtail 99% of our eating out.  When utilities, gasoline, groceries, etc. go up in price, it gives us less and less to spend on "unnecessary" things.  Eating out has become something we do about one time a month.....when we were eating out two or three times per week.  If Obama increases our taxes, we won't be eating out at all....not even one time per month!

No. What recession?

Absolutely we've cut back eating out....although we've returned a LITTLE since gasoline has come back down. Can you say HIGHWAY ROBBERY OIL BARONS and HEDGE FUNDS BILLIONAIRES ? Congress allowed all this by being on the TAKE of special interest groups....and we ALL KNOW IT ! We also haven't enjoyed eating out anyway, what with the horrible servers (NO PROBLEM and YOU STILL WORKIN' ON THAT?...and all the yelling across the room between co-workers...and their cell phones...who needs it ?)...not to mention that everyone thinks their kids should stand up through out the entire meal... GO HOME and COOK, read to your kids and supervise homework (and I don't mean do it) and get off the cell phones, turn off the TV's and computers and gaming and go to bed and go to the FREE LIBRARY !!!

Yes, I am cooking more meals at home and freezing.  I have to make ends meet somehow.  It's healthier and cheaper but takes more planning.

Yes, we doin't dine out much at all.  When we do it's for breakfast at the local coffee shop with Senior things cheaper on their menu.  Since we are seniors and retired, we must live on a budget because eating out now is a luxury. 

We deifinitely have scaled back. With five children, a meal out would cost about as much as a small grocery run. Actually it is more fun trying new recipies with the children. It helps them appreciate the cost of food and usually is better or just as good as dining out.