Often, you manage to find love where you least expect it. Sometimes that's on an internet dating site that caters to your city. Sometimes it's right around the corner. And other times, it's all the way across the world. There's something unbelievably exciting about dating somebody from another culture. They're different from you in so many ways, they're exotic... and until you decide to take your relationship offline, they're mostly unreachable.
Entering into an international internet relationship is a big undertaking. Added to the complications of any relationship, you have the complications of culture clash, long distance, and plenty of miscommunication. Want to give your international internet dating relationship the best chance of success? Check out the following tips for international dating.
Language matters
Don't underestimate the power of miscommunication. Even if you speak the same language as the person you're chatting with, it's all too easy for differences in the language or culture to cause confusion and conflict. Especially since you will generally be talking in a language that isn't native to you (or the person you're speaking with will be a non-native English speaker), you never know when language issues might get in the way. If possible, look for somebody who you can communicate well with-- when you can't really talk on the same level, it can be difficult to truly connect.
Understand the culture
Found somebody you like overseas? Spend some time researching their culture and their country. You never know when a cultural difference might cause conflict-- such as sending yellow roses to your Russian internet partner, unaware that yellow roses signify farewell in his or her country.
Be patient
If you don't have a lot of patience, you may not be cut out for international internet dating. There are a lot of things in this sort of relationship that create conflict and frustration. From language differences to having to wait to meet in person to time zone differences, plenty of frustrating things will come into your path. Be sure you can deal with them before you get started.
Plan way ahead
When your internet dating partner lives thousands of miles away, it's going to take a lot of time, money, and planning to take your relationship offline. To be sure that things go off without a hitch, plan your visits far in advance, and be sure that whoever's doing the visiting is well-versed in the language and the culture of this new place.
Take charge
If you've met somebody through an international internet dating site, it's a good idea to leave a lot of the planning and such to yourself. Dating scams abound on the net, and are more prevalent in international online relationship than with other kinds. So don't give out your information to allow your partner to buy tickets, make arrangements, etc. Instead, do it yourself. The more you take charge of your own arrangements, the less your chances of being taken advantage of.
Put it all on the table
In international relationships --especially when you're internet dating and can't speak in person-- misunderstandings abound. So be sure to be as straightforward and honest as possible. When you're so far away from the person you're dating, sharing as much of your feelings and yourself as possible is one of the only ways to keep feeling close. Putting as much of yourself out there as you can is a great way to avoid seeing the relationship fall apart before it even gets started.
Etad52
49 / Male
Comments: 1
Posted on March 12, 2009, 12:38 pm
So true. I hate to say it but most of Americans are pretty ignorant when it comes to the rest of the world. We (Americans) think we are the top priority. I have had several international relations. Norwegian, British, Latvian, German and Canadian. Luckily for me, I have lived in 10 years in Europe and that made all the difference. For those who don't have that experience, as Chloe has stated, read read read. Also listen to world news such as BBC / Duetche Welle and others. With the internet you can get most radio stations live. I often listen to SWR off the internet. Like most anything, if one is willing to put in the effort the rewards of an international relationship are more than you can imagine
