A Yuppie brand of charity in the Bay Area
With San Francisco being ground zero for the busted dotcom economy and thousands of former dotcome employees out of work (at least the ones that still live in the Bay Area and haven't fled back to where they came from), many businesses are providing a break according to this Wall Street Journal story (subscription required). In fact, I've even seen discounts on dentist's and massage appointments, and even therapy sessions!
During a visit to her gym last month, Jeanette Jones was pulled aside by a staffer who knew Ms. Jones was recently laid off from her investment-banking job. "Talk to the manager," the employee whispered to Ms. Jones. "There's a special rate for people like you."
...Indeed, thousands of laid-off white-collar workers are enjoying a yuppie brand of charity. In little acts of kindness, local fitness centers, yoga teachers, professional associations and many others are coming up with laid-off discounts so that the jobless can continue their favorite hobbies and activities.