Department of non-leading indicators

I just booked a same-day hair appointment with the woman who cuts my hair, one of the women noted in DC for their skill with curly hair.  I used to have to book at least 2-3 weeks in advance.  My mother also booked with a few days notice recently.

I get my hair cut at Bang, where a cut and blowdry run in the $30 range, not one of the expensive Georgetown salons.  If they have a lot of openings, it means that people are cutting back on getting their hair done entirely, not merely finding a less pricey place to do it.  I'm told that hairdressing has long been thought of as a countercyclical good.  Not any more, apparently.

This article available online at:

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2009/03/department-of-non-leading-indicators/7107/