THE DISTRICT LINE	Some	Signs	Of the Times
Scattered reports from Christmas shoppers indicate that we are indeed in a recession. Nothing earth-shattering has happened yet, but prices are some* v what ÛÏsofter,Û and stores are starting their sales earlier.</br></br>ThereÛªs also a new camaraderie among shoppers. Their attitude appears to be: itÛªs us against them, so we have to stick together.</br></br>Mrs. Julian P. Freret says this is especially noticeable in toy stores. A few years ago, people would load their carts with just about anything that was on display, with little regard for price or quality. This year theyÛªre tak-' ing time to compare, to consult lists of other prices, and even lists of toys deemed unsafe by various groups.</br></br>. On several occasions, says Mrs. Freret, as she was examining a toy another shopper would come over and say something on the order of: ÛÏI wouldnÛªt buy that one. ItÛªåÇ cheaply made and falls apart very quicklyÛ Or: ÛÏThat toy has been criticized on safety grounds. Would you like to see what it says in this report?Û</br></br>Mrs. Freret saysr ÛÏIt's a much less frantic scene this year. People are buying, but theyÛªre buying with much greater care and attention.Û Well, itÛªs an ill wind that doesnÛªt blow a little bit of good somewhere along the line.