The biggest mistake you can make when dating in a different culture is to simply assume it will be just like it is back home. Fortunately, there's no shortage of resources out there to give you a few pointers. From specialist blogs on dating French men right through to entire books on courtship in the Far East, there's simply no excuse for tripping up at the first hurdle. So, do your homework and know what you are getting into before you throw yourself into the dating scene.<\/p>\n
Knowing the dating etiquette of another culture can help you avoid embarrassment and heartache. For instance, girls in South America may leave it a whole week or more to reply to a text message, and some may even hang up the phone on you. Instead of panicking or feeling dejected, realise that this aloofness is part of the process in this part of the world.<\/p>\n
Similarly, a Spanish or Italian guy may seem a little too physically affectionate or bombard you with compliments during a simple coffee. Far from being creepy, this is standard behaviour in certain parts of Mediterranean Europe, so don't be so quick to judge!<\/p>\n
Don't assume gender roles are the same the world over<\/strong><\/p>\n Though it may be 2015, there are still some marked differences in the perceived roles of the genders when it comes to dating, with this especially true if there's a cultural clash.<\/p>\n In the Middle East and much of the rest of Asia, for instance, chivalry is far from dead. The man is expected to make the first move and take the initiative on a date, and little things like holding doors open or pulling out chairs can make a big difference, unlike in some Western countries, where such gestures might be seen as naff – or worse still, patronising.<\/p>\n In some parts of the world, you may even need a chaperone to accompany you on a date. Don't be offended or freaked out by this, just embrace it and see it as a different experience to be enjoyed.<\/p>\n Do be open to going Dutch, even if you're not in the Netherlands<\/strong><\/p>\n It can be difficult enough deciding on who will pay for dinner or drinks when you're on a date with someone from your own neighbourhood. Take someone from a completely different background out, and the issue can get even more complex.<\/p>\n As a rule, Northern Europeans do, as the cliché goes, 'go Dutch'. So, if you're a guy, don't put up too much of an argument if the German girl you're taking out says she'll pay her way. Insisting too hard here can be seen as an insult. <\/p>\n Conversely, there are some cultures where the man is still expected to pick up the bill, no questions asked.<\/p>\n So, again, it's about doing your homework. Ask friends or colleagues their advice before you go out on a date and always carry enough to pay for either yourself or both of you, but be open-minded enough to be flexible on this.<\/p>\n Do be culturally sensitive<\/strong><\/p>\n As a rule, if you're living or travelling in another country, then the onus is on you to adapt to their dating rules and etiquette rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n Be ready to accept local rules and traditions, no matter how quirky or even old-fashioned they may appear. Not only will this make you seem more polite and open-minded (no bad thing when you're trying to impress a date), it will also help you fully immerse yourself into a new culture and could end up teaching you a thing or two.<\/p>\n Also, be ready to learn a word of two of the local language. While it's true that love can blossom with minimal communication, learning a few words or – even better – a few choice compliments will do your chances no harm at all. Dating someone from a different country can be a real thrill; not only do you get the buzz of getting to know someone new on a romantic level, but you also get to learn about new places, new cultures and get the chance to see the world in a whole different light. At the same […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"Dating someone from a different country can be a real thrill; not only do you get the buzz of getting to know someone new on a romantic level, but you ... "},"author":1,"featured_media":3520,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-armed-forces-dating"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"ADNFCR-2867-ID-801797488-ADNFCR\"](\"http:\/\/feeds.directnews.co.uk\/feedtrack\/justcopyright.gif?feedid=2867&itemid=801797488\"\/)
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