A Descending Dow Stirs Upsurge in Romance?

by MaryAnna Donovan

It would figure that a situation as rough as our economy is right now would put a bit of a blight on the world of relationship and romance, right?
People don’t have (or won’t spend) disposable income, the cost of entertainment such as restaurants, theater tickets, and weekend getaways has exploded, and maintaining a job is like walking a high wire.

Well, wrong and surprising is that the world of romance is booming as people try to burrow into warm, cuddly and nurturing relationships to retreat from the cold reality of an economy in crisis.

Granted, the fancy dinners, weekend jaunts, and theater tickets are being replaced by Spam casseroles, weekend gardening projects, and today’s Netflix delivery.
But when facing crisis and uncertainty, people want to have someone to snuggle with and take their mind off those bad things out there.

So if people aren’t going out to the usual meeting places, where are they looking for people?

Online!

Now some of you may know that I have not been kind to the online dating phenomenon, but as a person dedicated to fairness and truth, I am compelled to present this robust side of the industry.
Indeed, robust is the word.
Amazingly, during these last few months, whenever the Dow drops 100 or more points, the number of people logging in and spending time on the eHarmony site dramatically increased, said eHarmony senior research scientist Gian Gonzaga in an interview with Reuters.

Likewise, match.com experienced its biggest boom ever during November, and Perfectmatch.com yielded an unheralded growth of 47% from September through November.

The reason for this trend is the stress caused by the failing economy and the need to have companionship and love in facing the storm.
The trend holds true in other parts of the world as well.
For example, the economy in Australia is getting just as “challenging” as ours in the United States, with singles there citing the rising cost of everyday living as their main concern.
At the same time, Australia’s largest online dating site: RSVP.com.au also reports record membership growth in recent months, yet another indication that people are turning to online dating as times get tough.

But the question must be asked: are these online love adventures a measure of true desire or desperation?
A poll by Opinion Research Corp. showed that in general, responders worried more about their love lives during difficult economic times, and that a whopping 75% of those between 25 and 34 worried if the economy would have a negative impact on their love lives.

What can we thusly deduce from all this?
First, the times are tough (duh) and so people seek the solace of romance more than ever. Second, people are “downsizing” when it comes to dating activities and venues.
Last, online dating is bursting as the dating venue of choice!

With its recent burst in membership coupled with people desperate for love, online dating, always a bit risky, could be more dangerous than ever.
As always, there are wonderful people who are members, and people pursuing honest, legitimate relationships.
But there are also scammers, fakers, and con artists who enjoy the thrill of the hunt and the kick of the crash.