<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jetsetter:
... <snip>
In thinking about this, something that has never been brought up (I don't think) is what are the characteristics of different people holding different opinions. For example, population sample group X., basically is on the corporations side, while sample population group Y. is on the side of the person(s) who try to book $0 or $29 goods and services. What are the characteristics of aperson that determines whether they fit more closely with group X or Y? E.g. income, education, age, sex, area of country, childhood, type of job, type of life experience, ,kind of car ddriven, rent/own, how many credit cards, etc? Are there demographic, sociographic, or other variables that broadly can be used to put a person in these hypothetical group X or Y? <snip> ... </font>
jetsetter, your study may be an interesting theoretical and academic exercise. However, as
VolleyBallFerd pointed out in highlighting the story of
Ascension Franco Gonzales, I don't think social and economic status have anything to do with one's side on this particular issue.
From a practical point of view, I am fairly certain in saying that folks who took advantage of the zero-dollar rates are closer to your $250,000-a-year sample than your homeless sample. So, if one were actually able to get the demographic information on the bookers of these rates and if we used the example of Mr. Gonzales above, then I could come to the conclusion that higher income folks are more likely to lie, cheat and steal (or, as they would say, know a good deal when they see one).
If you can't afford to stay at a Hilton, then stay at a Motel 6. If you can't afford a Motel 6, then stay at a youth hostel. If you can't afford a youth hostel, then stay at home. We all love to travel, but at what cost to our values.
[edited for UBB errors]
[This message has been edited by fallinasleep (edited 09-03-2001).]