+ and -

There have definitely been some cons to the recession (which has now technically ended… technically) that may have gone overlooked.

There’s the big ones of course… job losses and layoffs, bankruptcies, the eroding of 401k values, the stock crash (and current rebound), the bank failures, etc.

But what about the things that may have gone slightly overlooked? I’ve compiled a list of changes I’ve noticed over the past 18 months: I have identified the Good things with a + and the negatives with a -

- Small candy at Halloween
+ People tipping better when they go out
- A dramatic decrease in the amount of jelly in jelly munchkins
- My bag of sugar only has 4 lbs (instead of the usual 5)
+ + More stores are now stocking Coke in glass bottles (awesome!)
+ Gas prices have stayed relatively flat
+ People have decorated more this Christmas than ever
+ People are seeing the value in generic brands (medication and food)
- There are longer commercial breaks on the radio
- The price of green tea has gone up
+ - Black Friday was even more of a mob scene this year
+ No one was trampled to death on Black Friday
+ Big box retailers are willing to haggle (Best Buy, Sears, Gap, etc)
- The toothpaste I buy contains half an ounce less (bogus)
- Art is looked down upon as a dispensable luxury
+ People are being more reasonable with their holiday gift buying
+ People as a whole seem nicer (holding doors, being polite, etc)
- The number of Chihuahuas in shelters has quadrupled (why??)
+ Sales of domestic bears are up nearly 5% (Miller Lite!)
+ + Customer service has become important again
- Soup no longer comes with crackers free of charge (really?)

That’s the list for now. I’ll keep updating it throughout the winter.