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Debate Score:42
Arguments:24
Total Votes:48
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DaWolfman(3324) pic



Why is the resteraunt I work at packed if were in a recession?

How can we be close to a depression if people still eat out more than once a week? The resteraunt I work at is packed every night it is ridiculous that people scramble for dropped pennies when they can barely afford to pay the rent they go and eat out. Whats up wit dat?

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What many "restaurant businessman" are saying: "“The restaurant industry is both innovative and resilient,” said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the Association. “In the year ahead, the industry’s sales are projected to continue to increase, with a total economic impact that exceeds $1.5 trillion, yet at the same time, the industry is experiencing unprecedented challenges due to the economic recession and elevated food prices. Americans will continue to rely on restaurants as a key part of their lifestyle as the industry provides the food, value and service customers seek. Nearly half of consumers’ food budget will be spent in restaurants, rewarding the continued responsiveness and innovation that our industry provides to budget-conscious Americans.”

Industry Segment Growth

Sales at fullservice restaurants are projected to reach $182.9 billion in 2009, an increase of 1.0 percent over 2008. Quickservice restaurants are projected to post sales of $163.8 billion in 2009, a gain of 4.0 percent over 2008. Eating-and-drinking places will see an increase in sales from 2008 of 2.2 percent, totaling $395 billion."

( http://www.restaurant.org/pressroom/pressrelease.cfm?ID=1725) )

Why is it packed? What first comes to mind is that less people know how to fend for themselves and as that increases more will rely on restaurants or something of that sort to feed them. (by fend for themselves I mean everything from finding good sources of food all the way to cooking). Typically what happens is that high end restaurants remain about even during recessions, the middle ground restaurants are hurt the most and the lower end/fast food increase. Example, McDonalds posted record sales this past January of 2009.

I must add that Americans love to go out and that trend has steadily been increasing since the 70's.

1970: 42.8 billion

1980:119.6

1990: 239.3

2000: 379.0

(projected)2009: 565.9

(as posted by the national restaurant association)

Side: This always happens in recessions
2 points

It is pretty strange that the Media and Congress has actually stated that this is the worse economic crisis in History. I mean, yes, it has gotten bad, but seriously folks, we've had worse... waaaay worse in history.

Despite some of the mini-DEPRESSIONS we've had, there was this obvious one called the GREAT depression.

hell, we're not even in a Depression. We're in a recession, through history, those are called PANICS and there have been a shit load plenty of them. It's actually pretty natural (the only difference here is that our Congress and Senate failed to oversee the shitty loans being given to the poor fucks who couldn't pay them. weird that people blame the Republicans too... since the Democrats had way more control than the Republicans in the economy).

Side: The Panic of 2009

If the banks fail, and I hope they do, we'll see how we all handle the situation.

Side: This always happens in recessions
2 points

I've been saying this from the first hint of bailing out the banks.

There is 0 incentive for the failed companies to change their game plan, when everytime they screw up, they're given more money.

The government already ensures John Doe's savings. People won't start cannibalizing eachother if a couple crappy business models fail.

And while that 700 billion to rich guys passed no questions asked and no oversite necessary,

they're fighting stimulus to the little guy and for creating actual jobs, nail and tooth.

sometimes I think it's time for a revolution.

Before you call me unpatriotic, Thomas Jefferson agrees:

Every generation needs a new revolution."

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to always be kept alive.

Side: Thomas Jefferson
ThePyg(6738) Disputed
1 point

Why would you HOPE for the banks to fail?

Side: Panic of 2009
jessald(1915) Disputed
1 point

"Media and Congress has actually stated that this is the worse economic crisis in History."

I haven't heard that. I've heard them say "worse since the Great Depression" and "worse in our lifetimes".

Side: This always happens in recessions
2 points

are we in a recession? I hadn't noticed since I still have my job, I still got my yearly raise, and I am just fine with my rent. And I do not have a particularly good job. if it is a good restaurant why not be packed?

Side: Are we in a recession
2 points

There's about 300 million people in the U.S.

And only around 15% of them are unemployed.

So there's something like 255 million people perfectly capable of both covering rent and a night out.

But just because people can afford to eat out, doesn't mean they can afford a new car,

or new home,

and that's a problem.

So while food would logically be one of the last things to go in a recession, that doesn't mean there's no recession.

Side: why wouldn't it be
DaWolfman(3324) Disputed
2 points

Eating in a pricy Japanese resteraunt that costs everyone at least 20$ everytime they go in is not exactly cheap. Eating out is one of the top things americans spend their money on, when it is cheaper to eat the same stuff at your house.

Side: Panic of 2009
1 point

That number is higher than you think. I know some are estimating more around 20% or more. They are taking into account people being unemployed that are not receiving benefits as well as those who had no choice and had to pick up part time positions.

Side: This always happens in recessions
1 point

Yeah, in the 80's they changed the way they keep track of unemployment.

Now they don't count you as a person anymore after like 6 months or something, so it's hard to keep track.

Plus a lot of people work part time jobs because they can't find full time work. They don't make enough, but don't count as unemployed.

So I would not be the least bit surprised if it was around 20%

Side: why wouldn't it be
2 points

I've only heard people say it's projected to be a depression. Worse than the Great one, perhaps. If anyone said we're already in one, it doesn't mean they're wrong because you don't see Hoovervilles. I imagine the first parts of the Great Depression looked a lot like normal life, and it took a while for it to become really clear. I couldn't tell you one way or the other what we're in, but time will tell.

Side: why wouldn't it be
1 point

In all honesty we are not in a depression; I don't see any Hooverville's up quite yet. We're just simply in a recession and at this point in time people are doing more things to try and make them happy such as going out to eat while cutting back on other costs. How come you think alcohol sales in bars has gone up tremendously?

Side: why wouldn't it be
1 point

I meant recession I changed it =]

Side: why wouldn't it be
1 point

Well since I am 16 it is not exactly something I am paying for every day. We are in the most debt we have ever been in and we do not have room for Hooverville's anymore. Can't go hoppin trains down south to pick fruits either you cannot get on a train without getting caught nowadays.

Side: why wouldn't it be

Maybe the people eating at the restaurant are not the same people diving for pennies. Maybe the income level to be able to afford eating at the restaurant has just risen.

Side: why wouldn't it be
DaWolfman(3324) Disputed
5 points

Your last sentence did not come through to me. If my restaurant jacked the prices then less people would come in. Or the only other thing I could get out of what you said is that the income level of people have risen to fit the prices for going out to eat. Either way does not sound right to me. I do not mean literally diving for pennies I should have worded it penny pincher's I guess. The people that eat in my restaurant are of all different calibers of pay rolls. The restaurant in which I work is not fancy it is actually a hole in the wall with a total of 15 tables and 10 sushi bar seats. We are jammed every night.

Side: Panic of 2009
2 points

I understand what you mean. What I meant was that the lower class of people might be the ones that are "diving for pennies," or just penny pinchers, and they cannot afford to eat at the restaurant because of the downturn in the economy. Maybe it requires more money now to be comfortable going out to eat.

I think it's awesome that a small restaurant like that is thriving, even in "tough economic times."

Side: Panic of 2009

Because people are spending their money while it is still worth something.

Side: Panic of 2009
1 point

People feel the need to eat out. It is an American past time just like football. Resteraunts will be 2nd to last to go the last being Walmart.

Side: This always happens in recessions
1 point

If the bank should fall stock up on every thing OK I'm mre,salt,meat guns,and ammo OK people are going to be crazy OK i mean killer crazy

Side: This always happens in recessions