Brothel Battles Downturn with Flat-Rate Pass

Public transit passengers get a price break, too

(NEWSER) - A Berlin brothel that offers a discount to patrons who arrive by bicycle or public transportation is touting itself as the first “green” sex stop. Clients simply present their helmet, bike lock, or bus ticket at the Maison d’Envie, which just happens to be in a district where the Green party won 46% of the vote in the last election, the Independent reports. The manager says business is nearly back to prerecession levels thanks to the deal. More»

(NEWSER) - A Berlin brothel is trying to boost business and make the red-light district a greener place with a new discount program, Reuters reports. Patrons who cycle to the brothel or who can prove they got there on public transport will get $7 off the usual $100 price, according to the brothel's manager, who says business is up and nearby traffic congestion is down. More»

Sky isn't falling for many, but barrage 'crackling with panic' makes us feel that way

(NEWSER) - There’s no doubt the economy is bad. The of flood sky-is-falling news stories make that abundantly clear. But the avalanche of bad news—delivered faster than ever before through myriad, ever-present media outlets—has fed upon itself, sinking all of us into a deeper state of collective panic than in previous downturns, David Carr writes in the New York Times. More»

Crashing markets mean fewer fares, smaller tips

(NEWSER) - New York cabbies will tell you that their jobs are indicative of overall health of the economy—so they’re getting hammered right now. New York looks at one driver’s experience with the bubble-and-bust of recent years, with the halcyon days of bankers tossing him $40 for a $2.90 ride having degenerated into hours of cruising Wall Street, fruitlessly, for fares. More»

Prostitutes can now organize, hire security

(NEWSER) - Ontario has just made it slightly more difficult for Dominique Strauss-Kahn to get arrested within her borders: An Ontario court today overturned a ban on brothels, in a controversial move designed to minimize risks and safety threats to those who work in the world's oldest profession. The ruling will take effect next year, and will allow prostitutes to work under one roof protected by security and other support staff, reports the Globe and Mail . More»