Food companies, perhaps concerned about the economy, are becoming more reluctant to take a chance on introducing new products.

Mexican business interests, which initially embraced the accord, have become equally reluctant.

Some sellers are becoming reluctant to allow the interest proceeds to be awarded to the buyer.

He denied that managers at the center had become more reluctant to call in controllers on overtime.

And the task has only become more difficult since 9/11, she said, as parents have become more reluctant to let children travel alone.

"Consumers are becoming much more reluctant to either use savings or credit to make major purchases," she said.

But to a certain degree it is true that we have become more reluctant.

"Maybe America is becoming less reluctant to sweep it under the rug, more accepting of its own sexual difficulties," he says.

At the same time, lenders have become more reluctant to make loans.

Business executives are becoming reluctant even to visit New York.