Dating someone from another country sounds exciting. Then something you barely thought about becomes a sticking point, and you’re wondering how dinner with their family turned into a discussion about your entire future.
It’s tempting to blame culture whenever something feels unfamiliar. Sometimes that explains it. Sometimes you’re making assumptions about someone you’re still getting to know.
I’m David Peluchette, the editor of Dating Across Cultures. This site looks at the questions that come up when dating crosses borders, with a particular interest in the stuff that sounds straightforward until you’re the one trying to figure it out.
I’ve always been interested in other countries and cultures, but dating someone from a different background makes those differences feel much more personal. Things I might find fascinating on vacation can feel very different when they come up in a relationship.
I want to understand what happens once the initial fascination wears off and you start getting to know each other. That’s where a country guide can only take you so far. Knowing where someone comes from helps, but you still have to ask what’s important to them.
What You’ll Find Here
The articles explore dating in different countries and the questions that come up along the way. Meeting someone’s family gets plenty of attention, because “come over for dinner” can leave you wondering how much significance to attach to the invitation.
Some questions call for cultural context. Others call for a conversation you’ve been putting off. The aim is to help you work out what’s worth asking, without treating someone’s nationality as a preview of your entire relationship.
Where to Start
Have a look at the country you’re interested in. You might find something that explains a conversation you’ve been replaying in your head all week.
Just go easy on the detective work. By the time you’ve read six articles about their country, you can convince yourself you’ve figured them out. Meanwhile, they’re still wondering why you haven’t texted back.