Who do you believe?

Here in Soho, most afternoons we have got used to a moment when everyone in London comes into Poland Street and honks their horns because someone has double-parked.  It normally happens just as I'm trying to concentrate really hard on something really really important... and Dan always says "...That's not at all annoying..."

But Dan is right, there is just less activity.

I noticed it today cutting down Chancery Lane - hardly any traffic at all.  I even took a phone call and the guy at the other end could hear me.

Only a fool would pretend that the world hasn't slowed down.  Although there is an unwritten rule that when you meet another consultant you are always always "..surprisingly busy actually..." or "...in fact we're busier than this time last year" - about as credible as a politician's expense claims!

However, reading the paper today there are mean to be green shoots - the UK housing market didn't fall last month and nor did consumer confidence.  According to the last Warwick Podcast I listened to, things are not as bad as everyone is claiming.

No doubt this weeks London Conference will result in public statements of success.  And I am desperate to believe that things are not as gloomy as I felt last week.  

So if anyone else has some credible reasons to be cheerful - I'm in the mood to buy any mumbo jumbo right now...

Liam