Visual Signs of the "Global Recession"

[XJSJohn]

Something that has become really noticeable to me over the past two weeks as a major sign that the Global Recession is well and truly here is shipping!!

As many of you know, I live in Singapore, one of (if not the) largest shipping seaports in the world. I was out of the country last week and on my return the sight from the aircraft was incredible, much more shipping that usual in the anchorages and BIG stuff too.

More so, I have just been on East Coast for an early lunch and the sight is amazing / scary / worrying. Where there are usually small coasters in the holding anchorage its now all huge bulk carriers and container ships, all riding high on their marks, and all have been on the same morning since Monday at least, something pretty much unheard of!!!!

Will try to remember my camera tomorrow and get some pictures.

[andy-xr]

Pictures please!

On not quite so grand a level, what you're finding back in the UK is the chavs are now using their "for best" trackie bottoms in the weekdays.

[JakeR]

I Noticed something similar in Istanbul... the shipping I mean, not the tracksuits

[Soovy]

Cab ranks in Canary Wharf are FULL.

[TimJMS]

I dont think I have seen any 'Christmas' adverts on TV yet. Considering we are well into November now, thats quite a relief. Where oh where oh where is the annual reminder that now holidays are coming, holidays are coming, holidays are coming that I should rush out and buy some disgusting brown fizzy drinks that are always the real thing?

[maximm]

People switching from pints of Peroni (£4 a pint) to Becks Vier (£3.30 a pint) at the Slug, Canary Wharf.

[Soovy]

maximm said:

People switching from pints of Peroni (£4 a pint) to Becks Vier (£3.30 a pint) at the Slug, Canary Wharf.

That Vier is p155.

[Taita]

Peroni in pints I clearly am not moving in the right circles, I don't think I've seen that for ages.

Vier isn't that bad.

[OllieWinchester]

maximm said:

People switching from pints of Peroni (£4 a pint) to Becks Vier (£3.30 a pint) at the Slug, Canary Wharf.

Peroni is only £3.70 here in Winchester, surely sign of imminent financial doom?

[Puggit]

The carpark just north of the Reading-Paddington rail line at Heathrow is full. It's normally around 1/4 full.

Judging by the condition, the vehicles are either rentals or new.

[Trommel]

Peroni was £4 a pint in St Stephen's Tavern the other night. Shocking.

[bracken78]

Would love to see some pics of all thoughts ships.

I'm in shipping and where busy right night but come the New Year who knows what will happen.

Are you in shipping xjsjohn?

Edit to add from Tonkers post that we are shipping less steel for Arcelor now.

Edited by bracken78 on Thursday 6th November 11:15

[Saied]

At 6:15 am every morning, the line of black cabs awaiting a fare at London Bridge station is massive.

[Soovy]

BMW M6 at BMW dealer with 21k miles on it for £33k.

[OJ]

The rapture has begun and God has started with all the contractors

Edited by OJ on Thursday 6th November 11:17

[minimoog]

My missus reports the arse has fallen out of the recylables market. Where she was getting £20-odd a tonne for paper and card a few weeks back they can't even pay people to take it away (legally) now.

[Simpo Two]

How much of this is fear that people 'might' lose their jobs, so are being more cautious, or have actually lost their jobs?

As for beer I have the occasional can of Whitbread from the fridge, so fairly recession-proof there!

[Steamer]

Popped into the NEC yesterday to see what was going on:

CARE (care industry expo) - HEAVING!!!

EUROBUS (smallish motorshow for coaches & buses) - Also VERY busy.

Both trade shows, but I thought it was a good sign (might not be people spending though... maybe just avoiding the doom & gloom of the office)

[tinman0]

TimJMS said:

I dont think I have seen any 'Christmas' adverts on TV yet.

Argos, around 20th October.

Made a mental note because I felt it was a bit early.

[Puggit]

tinman0 said:

TimJMS said:

I dont think I have seen any 'Christmas' adverts on TV yet.

Argos, around 20th October.

Made a mental note because I felt it was a bit early.

And DFS around the same time.