German Prudence Under Fire

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The engine of the eurozone has been grinding to something of a halt in the last few months, threatening the rest of the continent with it. Why is that happening, what is in store, and could it all be the fault of the traditional German reluctance to spend? We seek answers from the very prudent shoppers of Leipzig, and from Holger Schmeiding, chief economist at the London-based Berenberg Bank. Also, we reflect on that most under-rated workplace quality, conscientiousness. Why do even employers fail to rate this most essential gift? Are you a worker or a shirker? Lucy Kellaway of the Financial Times offers her thoughts.