1. American dating culture
2. Where do you go on a date?
3. How to pay for a date?
4. What to wear on a date?
5. Dating APP
6. Other matters needing attention
1. Don’t forget to tip
2. Don’t forget to ask for a second date
When starting a formal study abroad life in the United States, in addition to studying, students can also participate in many social activities. In this regard, international students often have some doubts, for example, how should I ask an American girl out if I like her; I have a crush on a handsome American guy, how should I confess to him? In order not to come across cultural differences when dating, make sure you know enough about dating culture in the US before dating.
1. American dating culture
American dating culture “Dating Culture” is more distinctive, most people start by “talking”. Maybe it’s an activity organized by the school, maybe it’s a party outside the campus. Social activities are more important for students. Some people can find internship opportunities through chatting, and some people can find their “other half” through chatting. In short, everyone starts with chatting, and when you meet someone more compatible with you, you can bravely go to the next step and ask her/him out.
Dating at the beginning does not mean that two people are in a formal relationship, so some people will date several people. Many people are more open and honest about telling each other that they may also be trying to date someone else. If after a few dates, one party will take the other party to meet their closest friends or family members, it means that the relationship between the two people is maturing. If you can get the approval of your friends, the relationship between the two will go further. Let me just say here, if your American girlfriend or boyfriend takes you to meet his friends, then you need to try to make a good impression. Because he probably needs a friend’s opinion about the relationship.
After a few dates, if people don’t feel right, it’s okay to stay friends. If you feel very compatible, you can confirm the relationship. Generally, after a relationship is confirmed, both parties will not date other people again. Although at first people may think that Americans are too open and casual, in fact, after understanding, you will find that this dating culture is a very good social activity for young people. Everyone can make friends easily, even if they don’t become boyfriend and girlfriend, they can become like-minded good friends.
2. Where do you go on a date?
If you want to invite someone out on a date, you can first plan out the things you want to do and the detailed travel arrangements. If you’ve just arrived at a new school and don’t know the best places to date, ask around to prepare yourself for a date. Also, don’t forget to find out what types of activities your date enjoys.
Generally, it is more old-fashioned, and it is not easy to make mistakes. It is to ask to have dinner together in a restaurant, and you can watch a movie together after dinner. Of course, the choice of dating location varies from person to person and can be selected according to the common hobbies of two people. For example: Go to a concert or watch a comic book together. In short, you can choose some interesting places around the school.
3. How to pay for a date?
Regarding the question of how to pay, although boys pay more in more cases in China, it is still different in the United States. In everyone’s opinion, Westerners prefer the AA system. International students are also very confused when they talk about this issue. The boys are worried that if they pay all the money, the other girls will feel disrespected. And girls worry that if they don’t pay, they will be considered a problem.
The question of paying the bill is also very different from person to person. On a first date, if you don’t know the other person’s point of view, we can follow these three principles:
First, whoever proposes the appointment, whoever takes the initiative to pay. For example, if the man proposes to eat together, the man can take the initiative to say that he will pay the bill. At this time, you can observe the attitude of the following woman. If the woman insists on splitting the order, then AA. If the woman does not insist, then the man can pay in full.
Second, one person pays for dinner and the other pays for other entertainment. In this way, the relationship between the two people will be closer.
Third, split the bill equally. If you stick to AA dates, split them evenly.
Regardless of the payment method, we recommend that you prepare enough money when you are dating. Whether you are a boy or a girl, if you are invited on a date, you can order whatever you want when you order food, without restraint or guilt. Because of reciprocity, if you don’t pay this time, you can also take the initiative to pay the bill on the next date.
4. What to wear on a date?
College students generally don’t go to very formal places on dates, and suits and leather shoes are completely unnecessary. Still, you’ll want to put a little effort into dressing a little more formally than you normally would, though. Boys usually wear jeans and short sleeves, but they can wear shirts on dates. Girls generally wear skirts and high heels on dates. Of course, dress to match the venue and event of the date. If you are going to a relatively high-end restaurant, you can dress a little more formally. If you are going for a walk in the park, you can remind the woman not to wear high heels.
5. Dating APP
If you don’t meet the right match on campus, consider using a dating app. Although “online dating” sounds unreliable, in this highly electronic age, dating apps are a magic weapon to save single dogs. Now a lot of software is very powerful, it can match you with people according to your hobbies, such as Tinder, this software is associated with a Facebook account, and after logging in, you can see potential partners near you. You can view the profile of potential objects, swipe right to indicate interest and swipe left to indicate no interest. If both parties are interested, they can contact each other by private message.
The following are the most popular dating apps in 2020 as judged by a website in the United States: Zoosk, Elite Singles, OurTime, Match, BlackPeopleMeet, and Silver Singles. The number of registered users of these apps is in the millions. However, we do not recommend it for students studying abroad. Because there are often a lot of people registering for this software, good and evil are mixed. If you are a newcomer, it is recommended to use the social media commonly used by college students, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, so that you can easily contact classmates and alumni. If you are an “old fritter” who has lived in the United States for many years, you can use some dating software that native people use more.
6. Other matters needing attention
Finally, the editor adds some other things that need attention:
1. Don’t forget to tip
When you come to live in the United States, you may have discovered that tipping the waiter is the way Americans are accustomed to. Don’t forget to tip your server proportionally and say “thank you” when your meal is over. Forgetting or not tipping on purpose may leave a bad impression on your date!
2. Don’t forget to ask for a second date
If everything goes well, it means you have a chance to move on to the next one. The other person’s reaction can help you judge the possibility of your next date, and most Americans will make it obvious (or even tell you directly).
The above is the complete guide to dating in the United States that we have prepared for international students. I hope it can be helpful to everyone.