Signs that the economy is bad, September 17 edition

Ah, here we go again. Welcome to another edition of "Signs that the economy is bad" here at The Itinerant Librarian. This is where we scour the net for those oh so subtle hints that the economy is bad. Sure, there is rampant unemployment, and the government is fighting itself on giving tax breaks to the rich people who don't need it. But we look for the signs no one else looks for.

• I was honestly wondering when this was going to happen. I knew that sooner or later Americans would start leaving Starbucks and its overpriced coffee ilk to start brewing at home. However, the truth is not as easy as that. It seems that what is winning, according to Newsweek, is those single cup coffees (the ones you buy packages to brew a single serving). So in a way, Americans still have not learned that you get more coffee for your buck if you buy in bulk rather than individual servings. I guess the snobbery will be around a bit longer, but I am willing to bet if things keep getting worse, even the single serving folk will capitulate. Any thoughts out there? 
• You know things are bad when there is no money to maintain roads and highways. However, you know things have to be bad when the government just says they are not putting any rest stops or service centers along the way. That is exactly what the Irish are doing, according to Reuters.  According to the article, "the government body in charge of roads has begun erecting signs warning drivers not to expect any rest stops along a network that stretches from the Irish Sea to the Atlantic." So, just don't get thirsty, and please, if you have to pee, you  have to hold it in. 
• We all know that the airlines are on the skids and looking for any scheme to bleed more money out of the customers they abuse. However, you know things have to be bad when some think that a seat resembling a saddle is a good idea.  The story comes from The Los Angeles Times. And here I thought that the seats they have now resembled medieval torture devices.