STORY:
Millennium, Shillennium

New survey says 72-percent of Americans apathetic about turn of the century

New Year's Eve is not going to be the global bash we all expect it to be, according to a recent Maritz Poll conducted by Maritz Marketing Research, one of the world's largest marketing research firms.

Whether it's fear of Y2K issues or nonchalance toward the holiday, only 28 percent of those polled have special plans for the eve of the new century. Not surprising, the highest percentage of revelers are in the 18-24 age bracket (51 percent) and the lowest are those 65 and older (13 percent). Half of Americans planning a grand affair earn more than $45,000 a year.

Eighty-three percent said they don't usually spend New Year's Eve away from home. However, this year 19 percent of respondents plan to celebrate this New Year's Eve away from their hometown. Younger people are also more likely to take their festivities on the road, with 37 percent of 18-24-year-olds and 25 percent of 25-34-year-olds planning to travel.

One problem may be the discrepancy about which New Year's Eve is really that of the new millennium. Most respondents (69 percent) will celebrate it on New Year's Eve 1999, while the rest will celebrate it next year.

Decisions, Decisions...

Resolutions are always part of the holiday, and 30 percent are planning to make them. The most popular New Year's resolution topics include:

Health/exercise/diet 35%

Personal growth 17%

Smoking 16%

Money/finances 15%

Relationships 11%

DATE: 10/29/99

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