In this economy...

"In this economy" - I have heard that phrase being used hundreds of times over the last few months - on radio shows, news broadcasts, advertisements - everywhere ! We all know, the economy is not exactly in the pinkest of health, and we have all been affected by it(albeit in different proportions), but we don't need that shoved in our faces every time we turn to the media, do we?

So I turn on the TV on a lazy Monday ( oh ya..this Monday was lazy..Labor day,we don't know your significance, but we love you) to catch some US open action . Federer being average in the first set against a hopeful Robredo, with the score tied at 5-5! And then the commercials kick in, slapping and jolting us to reality by reminding us of the economy! Convincing us of the best deals for kitchen knives to cars to indoor spas , that we could lay our hands on "in this economy". How hypocritical is that! You are telling me the economy sucks, and in the next sentence you coax and cajole me to buy your product which will reduce my expenses(what about the money I would spend buying it?), and purportedly make me lead a better life! Why are we reminded of this, when all we want is to enjoy watching a game of tennis, or a brainless reality show or songs on the radio, or any load of crap while keeping the discussion of the economy restricted to the news channel ?

But I guess it don't work that way! They want to feed on our fears of the bad shape the economy is in, and make us empty our pockets for the splendid product they offer.Its almost like they are doing us a favor! Come to think of it, by dint of the vicious circle the US economy is in, spending by consumers will actually boost it. It thrives on people's urge to buy things that may be totally unnecessary, but hey they're on sale !(or so we think). Its almost like people have been programmed to believe they have to spend and live it up, regardless of how much they earn and save. All the supermarkets and franchise outlets are always in "sale mode". From "Back to school" to "Labor day" to "Halloween" to "Thanksgiving" to "Christmas" - the list carries on throughout the year! What a joke! "So what are you buying this Thanksgiving?" . "Where are you spending this long weekend?You should totally go to Vegas and splurge!" . When questions(or cliches?) like this figure in everyday talks, its pure peer pressure ( tongue-twisting alliteration) that makes people re-think their saving strategies, if they have any! I am pretty ignorant about these matters, however the whole concept of the economy leaning so heavily on credit does not make sense to me!

I have a feeling, the media and marketing agencies have become so obsessed with playing the economy card that they will continue to use it even after the economy improves, until it becomes laughable! Until then, exercise patience my friends! And hold back the urge to abuse when you hear those words again!


After-thought: Although I have been cribbing about the media reminding me of the bad state of the economy, through this blog I am guilty of the same! :P You came here to read a blog-post, and those 3 dreaded words were thrown at you yet another time! Sorry ! :)