I will try not to sound like a broken record by inveighing against all the things that change with “Davos” in New York. But I’m daily confronted by one significant shift.
As happens each January, my mailbox is getting crowded with invitations to the unofficial events that coincide with the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting. Companies, consultancies and countries host breakfasts, cocktails, dinners, even a Super Bowl party.
In Davos, as hard as they try, these events have a certain gemutlichkeit spirit. Even the sleekest of investment bankers can’t withstand the forces of a Swiss mountain village.
The New York invitations promise something different. I’ve already had invites to three different events at the Four Seasons Restaurant, that epitome of New York sophistication. The fringe events which have long brought an unwelcome element of competition to the spirit of Davos are now in full Olympic mode. Citius, altius, fortius.
As a pro-European, I’m generally sceptical about articles decrying Europe’s outmoded ways. But there are some things that get my goat. C&A, a clothing store, looks as though it will face huge fines because it ran a sale in Germany.
I know, you probably think sales are good things for consumers. But it seems in Germany, the law bans discounted sales outside certain periods (Belgium also outlaws sales between 10 December and 19 January, apparently). Fortunately, some German politicians are seizing the absurdity of the C&A fines to push for reform of the retailing laws.