The recession is now widely blamed for cooling passions in the bedroom. According to mental health charity Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong, it expects calls to its counselling hotline this year to far outstrip the usual annual tally of about 300. The privately run Hong Kong Sexual Health Centre says business is brisk. Experts say workers are too worried about either losing their jobs or being made to work double time during this economic downturn. They are either too depressed or stressed to feel the lure of Cupid. But when have bedrooms in Hong Kong ever been otherwise?

Things weren't any different back when times were good. In May 2006, we were in the middle of a bull market. People were flush with cash from betting on the stock and property markets. Then Viagra-maker Pfizer surveyed the monthly frequency of sex around the world and found Hong Kong came out at the bottom - at 3.55 sessions per month. We were even behind Singaporeans, who had sex 4.55 times. Imagine, straight-laced, gum-free Singaporeans have a stronger sex drive than we do. Similar annual surveys by Durex have come up with comparable results. An expert was quoted as saying economic prosperity and the modern Asian lifestyle were increasing stress levels for people.

Hongkongers don't like sex. Survey after survey, local and international, says so, in good times or bad. So don't blame the recession. We are who we are.