6. Going to a fancy restaurant
Typically, Americans want to go out on a date. Going to McDonald’s for a date is usually only permitted if you are still in high school with your significant other… or if you are an acute, old married couple.
Women in Sweden like to go on “work dates” also known as a “Fika” before reaching the fancy locations, usually going to a cake shop and having a cup of coffee.
7. Taking your time
Americans may want to take their time to reach a deadline. It’s considered “fashionably late” and it could make you look clingy or like you’re rushing the other person somewhere too early.
Nevertheless, in some countries like Germany, a person’s time is considered valuable and having others wait for you would be considered rude.
8. Opening a gift in front of the giver.
Gifts are a significant way of showing those you care for deep down. It’s important to show in the west that you’re thankful for what you’ve got and can’t even be considered extremely rude to open it.
Nevertheless, it is considered more polite not to open a gift in front of the person who gave it to you in certain Asian countries such as China or India. In reality, it can make a person look greedy to open a gift too quickly.
9. Eating habits
Make sure you know the best way to eat beforehand if you want to share food on a date. Some countries have about eating practices, especially when sharing a meal.
In the west, when sharing food, moving it with utensils is generally more respectful than by hand. Nonetheless, in Japan, moving food around with your chopsticks is considered inappropriate as this practice is strongly associated with funerals. Be cautious when eating your noodles in China, breaking one is considered bad luck and slurping them in good shape.
10. Giving flowers
The simple act of giving your date flowers may not be a problem in itself… in Russia, for example, men are expected to give a nice bouquet of flowers to their dates as long as it’s an odd number. Funerals are reserved for an even number of flowers.
Even history shows how complicated it can be to flowers. Sending someone yellow roses in the Victorian era could be disrespectful as they were considered to be jealousy or infidelity. Also, today, while symbolizing friendship, they can show that you think of them as a friend to a date.
What are some common flirting habits that have caused you trouble with an overseas date? Please share your thoughts with us!
Preview photo credit The Innocent Man / KBS Media Enterprises, Fifty Shades of Grey / Focus Features
