Is the Recession Good For Romance？







When the Dow dips down, does romance heat up?

Internet dating sites and offline matchmakers have reported higher activity during these recessionary times, according to the New York Times. Match.com, for instance, recently had its strongest fourth quarter in the last seven years.

One reason: with unemployment on the rise, more people have time on their hands to devote to romance. People also seek the comfort of relationships during tough times. Online dating or other organized dating events can be a more affordable way of meeting people than expensive blind-date dinners.

Indeed, those singles who went on fancy dates during flusher times are changing their ways, with fewer lavish meals and pricey drinks. One man interviewed by the Washington Post, whose construction company has seen a 50% drop in business, now looks for free date activities, such as hiking or motorcycle rides to visit wineries. (This piece has more low-cost ideas for romance, including having a picnic, taking a stroll to watch the sunset, wine-tasting for free at wine shops and cooking dinner together.)

Another sign of the times: condom sales have been on the rise, reports USA Today. Sales of condoms in the U.S. rose 5% in the fourth quarter of 2008 and 6% in January, compared to the same periods a year earlier, according to data-tracker Nielsen Co.

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市下挫之时，浪漫会升温吗？

据《纽约时报》(New York Times)报导，在线约会网站和线下婚介机构在经济衰退时期都更加活跃。举例来说，网站Match.com最近宣布，去年第四季度是其过去7年来业绩最好的季度。



Associated Press



一个原因是：随着失业率上升，越来越多的人有更多的时间专注于感情之事。世道不好的时候人们也会在恋爱关系中寻求安慰。比起通过花费不菲的相亲宴会去认识别人，在线约会或其他有组织的约会活动显然是更容易负担得起的方式。

一些单身人士在境况好的时候会花大价钱吃饭饮酒，现在他们也在改变自己的行为方式，不再动不动就大吃大喝。《华盛顿邮报》(Washington Post)采访了一名男子，他所在的建筑公司业务下滑了50%，因此他在找免费的约会活动，比如徒步远足或是骑摩托车参观酿酒厂。（这篇文章还有更多花费低廉的浪漫点子，比如野餐、散步看日落、去销售葡萄酒的商店免费品酒以及一起做晚餐。）

还有一个能显示时势变化的迹象：《今日美国》(USA Today)引用数据跟踪公司Nielsen Co.的数据称，美国2008年第四季度安全套销量较上年同期增长了5%，1月份增长6%。