December 21st, 2008

Recession dating

» Posted in Relationships, online dating at 12:05 pm

The credit crunch has everyone reassessing their lives & changing their behavior (which can definitely be a positive thing) & not spending as much as they have in the past. After writing my post last week in which I negatively commented on Dr Pepper Schwartz’s article encouraging people to get a partner to weather the ‘tough economic times’, I thought a little more on the subject. This week I also read an interesting Reuter’s article titled ‘Falling stock markets spur searches for love online’ and I quote them below:

As stock markets across the globe have plummeted, more people have opted to try their luck looking for love online as a distraction from financial woes — and to save themselves money, according to dating Web sites.

It got me thinking about what reasons people would go online to look for a date, more than in more settled times. I have attempted to put a list together of reasons below.

Recession is when a neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours. Ronald Reagan

This is a reference to a ‘Broadstuff’ post this week titled ‘Stop Right Now How Old is Your Business Plan’ in which I added a comment regarding the increase in online dating during the credit crunch. Alan P responded with a comment:

I have heard the same – apparently bored unemployed bankers are now going dating online for their thrills, and condom sales have jumped 15% in the last 3 months. Alan P.

People feel lonelier when they are being faced with challenges? This obviously isnt true for everyone but challenges can certainly make us more vulnerable. Its the vulnerable part of us that wants relationship that can act like a bubble wrap protection from the ‘reality factor’ of external challenges.
Its a great way to save on heating at nite – find someone to cuddle up to? See this Independent article ‘Lonely Log on to Find Love in a Cold Climate’.
Men may be particularly stressed at this time as they can often be deeply invested in their outer world career & money. Their self esteem can easily be tied to these pieces. Women are often more caring & nurturing & so there is a ready sympathetic audience with whom to relate.

There are three possible parts to a date, of which at least two must be offered: entertainment, food, and affection. It is customary to begin a series of dates with a great deal of entertainment, a moderate amount of food, and the merest suggestion of affection. As the amount of affection increases, the entertainment can be reduced proportionately. When the affection IS the entertainment, we no longer call it dating. Under no circumstances can the food be omitted. Unknown

There are plenty of free online dating sites which can save money to meet people rather than live venues. However this doesn’t explain why paid dating sites have experienced an increase of people signing up? Except in the scale of economy, $29 for online dating is still cheaper than going to a venue to meet someone, lasts longer & increases your odds?
Finding a partner = sharing costs in rent, food & all other life necessities. It is generally cheaper for two to live together than one by themselves.

When I had no work and all this time on my hands, I couldn’t get a date. Now that I have women banging on my door, I have no time to answer it. Scott Wolf

Sex and love can be be like alcohol or drugs with an intoxicating effect which can help a person forget about their life troubles. The pain can be temporarily numbed!

Get to know two things about a man. How he earns his money and how he spends it. You will then have the clue to his character. You will have a searchlight that shows up the inmost recesses of his soul. You know all you need to know about his standards, his motives, his driving desires, his real religion. Robert J. Mccracken

Finding a mate gives you someone with whom to moan or winge about your troubles?
You have someone to borrow money from who is unlikely to refuse it when you need it!

My limited imagination only could come up with these points, but I bet some of my readers will have some even better ideas. Please add your thoughts to the comments…

I will leave you with a funny video from ‘The Onion‘ which like to take off the current news. Enjoy….