http://www.afr.com.au/y2k/991129/cons/cons2.html

Experts are cautiously optimistic on the possibility of widespread panic.

"Psychology does play an important role in economic behaviour, but cooler heads will prevail," said Gerald Cohen, a senior economist for Merrill Lynch in New York who has been tracking the Y2K computer issue.

"People will wait until December 28 (to get ready) and that could mean some nasty-looking lines, but it will be just because we always wait until the last minute," said Cathy Hotka, vice president of the National Retail Federation.

"We are seeing more early preparedness in the West. People are used to living further apart there, so there is more self-reliance. Here in the East, if it gets cloudy and they predict snow, we have to all run to the store."

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), November 29, 1999

Answers

To beat a dead horse, you more than likely have all of the December Christmas shopping season to prep but do not plan to be anywhere near a grocery store the last week of December. Good or bad rollover the panic will happen before as people stock up on extra milk and frozen pizza's (just in case).

-- squid (Itsdark@down.here), November 29, 1999.

Does that mean, if snow is predicted for Dec. 28th, then on Dec. 24th we will be faced with not only last second Christmas shoppers, but people fearing being snow bound, PLUS those that fear no frozen pizza and Ho-Ho's after the 1st? I'll be going there just to see it, won't you?

-- P.A. (adkins@webbernet.net), November 29, 1999.

i want to see it!! but i won't be standing in line--only watching. however, i will not go to my usual shopping places for fear of being recognized. after the rollover, i will not shop at my regular places.

i think it will be interesting to see what the folks fill their carts with at the last minute. during the last snow storm here in northern VA/DC, they bought gourmet foods---no joke---as if they were going to spend the time cooking. let's hope they don't lose their power or it will curtail that and they will be stuck with soggy frozen foods and cold pasta sauce. then boy will they be mad!!! nothing worse than a disgruntled suburbanite.

-- tt (cuddluppy@nowhere.com), November 29, 1999.