How the credit crunch is biting

[temi]

The French are drinking tap water, fashion-conscious Italians have turned to second-hand clothes and car-loving Americans are taking the train. Around the world the credit crunch is prompting the middle classes to make some often painful changes.
Across the Channel, the French bourgeoisie are giving up some of their most cherished habits as they turn to sandwiches as a result of their declining pouvoir d'achat (purchasing power).
Restaurants have reported a drop of about 30 per cent in takings over the summer, according to one survey. while many middle-class holidaymakers skipped lunch altogether, or ate a sandwich on the beach rather than the traditional three-course

full story here

[kezoon]

Wow, hey couple more months in and still hitting. Not ending soon either by looks of things.