The Antidote to VD

I received the latest issue of Bloomberg Businessweek this Saturday and I could not have been happier.

Such a great antidote for Valentine’s Day Blues.

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Cover of Bloomberg Businessweek, 14 February 2011.

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After reading the well-written article, “Cheating Incorporated”, still aghast and shaking from the get-go by the tagline “Life is short. Have an affair”, I went and checked out the front page of the website, and the front page only. I swear. There is NO wink wink this time.

I don’t know what to say. I feel like crying but not the self-pitying kind wont to happen on Valentine’s Day. No. I feel like crying because I am so tired. I feel besieged.

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"Affairs Guaranteed"

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Well, I guess now we know what many people would be doing the day AFTER Valentine’s Day…

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Now we know what people do the day AFTER...

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I am rather intrigued by this chart really, what would your hypothesis be for the reasons for the spikes?

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32 thoughts on “The Antidote to VD

  1. Lies

    It’s not all that surprising, is it? People disappointed by what their partner did (or did not) do for whichever occasion it is are more willing to start looking for some greener grass… . I’m more surprised by the reactions here, to be honest – if people wanna cheat, they’ll cheat, this website does not change that. It may make it easier for it to actually happen, but it is in no way responsible for it. It’s a well though of business plan, you have to give him that, I honestly find it hilarious. (and don’t give me the “wait until you are cheated on” crap. been there, done that, moved on. it’s not always as complicated as it looks)
    Lies recently posted…T – the manualMy Profile

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  2. Nubian

    Having been the wife and the last one to know, this just sickens me, but as someone said, each to their own I guess.

    (New follower to your blog saw you on Rabbit’s page… I stalk him, now I stalk you)

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  3. Erica@PinesLakeRedhead

    When a friend told me of this service last week I was dumbfounded that it was actually real. I told him that I must really be naïve. He told me that I had a happy marriage and therefore no need of the service so why should I even be aware of the existence.

    I wonder if the spikes after Mother’s Day and Father’s Day has anything to do with A) a mid-life crisis or B) a feeling of being under appreciated?
    Erica@PinesLakeRedhead recently posted…Molly UpdateMy Profile

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  4. chickens consigliere

    I also read something about this company a short while ago. They must be upping their PR. Word of mouth just not bringing in the business, I guess, haha. Anyway…what are you going to do, AOA. Society has always been like this. War and adultery will probably never go away. Oh I’m a jaded Chicken tonight. My guess about the chart is people either spend a holiday being “good” and feel like rewarding themselves, have a day off and take time to surf the internet, or are disappointed in their holiday and say screw it, I’m having an affair. I don’t say that. I say, Screw it, where is my warm coat. But I’m a little odd.

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  5. Mary Lee

    Good grief! When we were married, my husband and I talked about this. Whether it was an affair or a one-night-stand, we agreed that it would change our relationship forever. We agreed it wasn’t worth it.

    Fidelity is a security blanket and confidence builder. I think marriage partners deserve that.
    Mary Lee recently posted…When Stomping Means I Love YouMy Profile

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  6. Kernut the Blond

    Shame on mass media for giving AM more press. She’s been around a while, and a lot. I’m shocked her business survived and appears to be thriving.

    But as to your question: I speculate the after-holiday bump in subscriptions is because the subscriber felt somehow slighted or unappreciated by their significant other on that holiday. Rather than discuss their unmet expectations with their spouse or a therapist, they go for the cheap and easy way out. Not that I have an opinion about it or anything 🙂

    Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you felt loved and appreciated!
    Kernut the Blond recently posted…Adventures In Online Dating Part OneMy Profile

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  7. Kathryn McCullough

    How did I not know about this worthy money-making effort? Oh, yeah–I live in Haiti.

    But, good God, how disgusting–there’s something extra special slimy about helping people cheat and making bug bucks in the process.

    Reply
  8. Renee Fisher

    Wicked Shawn said it well. There is a difference. One is a lifestyle choice. The other is deceit. Althought I’ve been aware of the lifestyle for many years, it was only very recently at lunch with a client/friend that she mentioned the Ashley Madison site. Like everything else, swinging and cheating have both become big business. Sort of takes the romance away from composting veiled ads in the newspaper and maintaining an anonymous postal box.
    Renee Fisher recently posted…We have stuff Like earrings with a lot of breastsMy Profile

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  9. Wicked Shawn

    First off, let us stop for a moment and divide this coversation into two segments, so as not to confuse two different segments of the population. There are couples who have open relationships, those people, for reasons of their own and of which are none of our business, have made conscious decisions to share their spouse/significant other/whatever with others. They have chosen for themselves and will deal with the fallout, if any, on their own.

    Cheating, on the other hand, is more about the sneaking around, acting out of anger or dissonance.

    I like my relationships to be 2 way……unless they involve women and glitter, of course.
    Wicked Shawn recently posted…Analyze This……which is probably copyrighted or trademarked or whatev…My Profile

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  10. Brahm (alfred lives here)

    Yee-ikes. I have read about Ashley Madison before. They are apparently a very big and very successful business, built on helping people cheat on their spouses.

    Either them or another company like them wanted to buy ad time during the Super Bowl, and were turned down. Which I am okay with. How would you explain that to your kids? Hey, that would make Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction seem like an easy family conversation!

    Reply
  11. The Barreness

    Believe it or not, the whole “Adultery marketplace” situ sickens me as well.

    I am a lot of things (um…never mind), but a liar and/or a cheat I am not. I find it unnecessary, cowardly and utterly beneath me (and anyone I would actually chose to associate with).

    In fact, I may have to post on this shortly as it’s becoming something of an epidemic.

    Hisss…

    It is intriguing, though, that the female registrations after Valentine’s Day rose significantly higher than the male ones.

    What have we told them about cheap supermarket flowers and heart shaped chocolates?

    Live and learn.

    – B x
    The Barreness recently posted…My best friend- the cntMy Profile

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  12. pattypunker

    very interesting article. i actually think it’s a very valid and not unethical enterprise. there are a lot of truly skanky businesses out there when it comes to the sex and i think this one is trying to fill a niche in people’s needs. if having an affair helps people stay married, raise their children, maintain their homes, makes their jobs more bearable, and makes them feel more alive, then good for those people.

    i’m with the founder, companies not taking his ads is bullshit! there’s so much porn or practically porn out there, this company tries to keep things discrete and maintain some class.
    pattypunker recently posted…voices in my headMy Profile

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  13. TechnoBabe

    Like everything else, I say to each his or her own. This lifestyle is not for me and I don’t have an opinion of the people who have affairs and are okay with it. I am just glad that I know what I accept in my own life. Even if I were the last person left on earth to believe in monogamy and commitment I would not change how I believe. Being honest with myself is more important that being honest with anyone else. If you celebrate Valentines Day, I hope you have a wonderful day.
    TechnoBabe recently posted…The V Day Hot LoveMy Profile

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