Crisis hits Russian sex trade
MOSCOW: A popular joke among Russian oligarchs has one telling another, "I have bad news, I have lost $5 billion." The second replies, 'Well I have lost $7 billion. But the good news is that whores are back to costing $100.'
It may seem a typically Russian view of the economic crisis - selling and paying for sex makes up much of Moscow's notorious nightlife, and some "night butterflies" say they are slashing their prices to compete. But they add a new kind of customer has emerged who wants emotional support, not sex.
Adriana, a prostitute in her 30s who works in the flat she shares with her 18-year old son, said her role has evolved to being a shoulder for her customers to cry on: "They complain and many (now) don't come for sex," she said, downing a flute of champagne in a noisy bar and flicking back her jet-black hair.
