Rebates and Consumer Confidence going to New York City
Five more days and I will be sitting on an airliner to New York on Friday Nov 21.
We will land at about 9 p.m. and hope to arrive at the hotel by 11 p.m. My daughter says she would be up to taking a stroll down Broadway after we have registered and unpacked. The only kind of stroll I could imagine doing would be towards the bed. We will see how we feel.
Throughout my life and travels I often had made some priority plans when visiting a certain city or country. It hardly ever worked out that way, but instead I did things – some unusual and much better - I would not have dreamed of. Now I will share with you what I think I will be doing in New York.
I plan on:
* taking interesting photos
* buying lunch for some homeless
* talking to some interesting people, besides the homeless
* taking a peak into Tiffany’s
This is supposed to be a shopping trip for ladies only and we also have just received our Economic Stimulus Payment rebate from the U.S. government, which was supposed to encourage spending and strengthen the economy (before the crisis). Of course, being loyal to this currency, we plan on taking it right back to where it came from, because we want to stimulate the economy. My daughter will be the biggest helper in doing so.
Having just read Michael Kinsley’s article on Consumer Confidence, it is clear that Americans are in two minds. On one hand, they are encouraged to spend to stop this downfall, but at the same time, October retail sales were down double digits from a year ago.
And then there are new groups which preach against this Shopocalypse. For example, The Church of Stop Shopping is a project that has expanded from a one-man performance artist preaching against consumerism on the sidewalks of Times Square to a 35-person choir and 7-person band with dozens of original songs, a critically acclaimed stage show, a major motion picture and multiple media platforms. The Church is committed to educating the public about the consequences of unsustainable consumption.
And then there is this fake New York Times issue, a very interesting prankster act. These papers were passed out and nobody noticed the publication date of July 4, 2009. Well, with such good news (the war in Iraq has ended) to be read, I might not have caught it right away either. This quiet and bold act is a good demonstration of what has been brewing this whole time in parts of America. Very clever idea to get to the public. 1.7 million papers supposedly have been distributed. They have planted the seed of dreaming of better days soon to come. Let’s hope for a speedy harvest.
In the meantime, I will go shopping in New York this weekend.
Tags: New York City
November 19th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Have a wonderful trip Maria! Look forward to seeing some of your pics!
Take care,
Fatma
November 19th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
My first post didn’t make it
Wish I could meet you there. Haven’t even been to New York yet. Except for at the airport….Prolly to late to get a decent ticket. Is it you and your daughter going only or a whole crowd of women?…I remember our trip to Paris back in 198? I do NOT travel much do I
Have fun!!
-birgit-
November 19th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Hello~~
So near to being in NYC
I have never been there… but can imagine the good spirit of shopping!
I wish you and Margot a pleasant stay!
Looking forward see your interesting photos
Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lee Young
November 19th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
@Birgit
There are only three of us going – daughter Margo, my sister, and I.
My sister is a profound shoppaholic and we had often talked about doing this once in our life. I plan on taking lots of pictures of my sister – she has never been to the States, she does not speak English and I imagine her being in “shopping wonderland”…especially around this time of year!!
The guys in our family wanted to come along – our son even suggested going only to museums to turn this into an educational trip for him. No way. (This year he has traveled to China, Japan, the U.S.A., and Crete – he is not even 15 yet!)
This is so-called “Weiber Shopping Only” and I am sure we will come back with an empty wallet (remember – we Germans, for the most part, like to pay for our purchases in cash), but also feeling enriched.
@ everyone
Is there anything I could bring back for you – e.g. a menu (some people collect them), bottle caps or whatever?!
November 19th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I wish a pleasant stay and shopping trip in NY. It so nice to read, that you also have a heard for the homeless people, as I do it in Namibia
Enjoy yr trip
Rgds
Kyra
November 19th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
If you see a WHALE, think of me…
All the best for your trip and hope to see you soon! xxx
November 20th, 2008 at 1:46 am
The grass is always greener…
How funny that you are all going to NYC. Be sure to take a break and go ice skating in Rockafeller center! This time of year we always miss Germany and think about jumping on a plane and hitting the Weinachtsmarkt! Instead, we will be driving up to my parents in Pennsylvania next weekend and will, of course, go to the German market in Bethlehem just to smell the mandeln. It’s the next best thing to the real thing.
Hope Margot has a magical time – NY really is a great city. -Susan
November 20th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Hi Maria,
This is nice about your trip to New York. I am curious to hear more news your trip.
I wish you the best.
~Hug~
Jamal
November 20th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Hi Maria,
yes I think you can probably find in N.Y.C. what I am looking for. If you meet him, please tell him you have a friend in Oberursel who…
If you don’t find the original, an accurate copy will do.
I wish you a good time in the city that never sleeps.
Love, Agnese
November 20th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Hi you all
wish i could be there with you since we only had one afternoon for shopping when we went,way to short hope some day to go back. Wish you all a very nice stay and hope Santa know i start to collect small glasses
Here it´s cold with a little snow tonight
Enjoy all of you keep in touch
Love Mariann
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Hi! Maria
Thanks for your mail!
Please take some photos of “Ice Rink of Rockefeller Center”.
I have visited N.Y.C. twice, but it was summer and autumn.
So I would like to see the beautifully ice rink only in winter!
Have a wonderful trip!
Love,
Yoshiko
November 24th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Hi Maria,
I wish you a very pleasant stay at New York. Hopefully the weather will be better as in good old Germany.
Greetings
Marion
November 27th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
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