There are lots of businesses that are cashing in on the recession and doing brilliantly. Not just pawnshops and discount stores but also alcohol, gaming and strangely enough, gardening supply specialists.

Add to that the online dating business. Some businesses in that area have enjoyed double digit growth, according to market specialists quoted here.

People in the industry claim that in tough times, people want to find someone who care about them. It's a nice line but it's not that simple. As the Economist points out, it's a form of cheap entertainment. Besides, there has also been a boom in subscription-based site arranging affairs. Never before has there been so many people looking for a bit on the side. That's a sad indictment of the human condition and the self-destructive instincts of some.

Of course, it's a trend that might be good for other industries, if they decide to cash in on the trend. Let's not forget that these online dating services are basically big data mining sites.