Economic slowdown hits the world's oldest profession

Looks like the expression "sex sells" may need to be rethought in light of the current slowdown.

Brothel owners around the world are complaining that people feeling the pinch economically are not in the mood to be . . . well, you know. Monika Heitmann works for a support network for prostitutes in Bremen, Germany, summed it up nicely: "If customers can't even afford to spend money on housing, food and cars, then how can we expect them to spend money on sex?"

Business is down in brothels in Australia where one prostitute is quoted in a local paper as saying she was forced to become more entrepreneurial, because "all of the parlours are deadly quiet." Some are hoping that their business will be "stimulated" by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's economic stimulus plan.