Rising Standards

Recessions also seem to have little effect over the long-term upward march of consumer expectations for living standards. In 1973 only 13% of consumers surveyed said they considered in-car air conditioning essential, while only 10% said they had to have a dishwasher. By 2001, the last time the survey was taken, those numbers had grown to 57% for AC in the car, and 32% for dishwashers.