Europe is a huge region, and dating here is actually very different depending on a particular country. There are legends about italian passion, french romance, british humour and scandinavian reserved nature. But there are also some common traits, which all european singles share when it comes to dating.
Whether you are a foreigner looking for a european partner or a local person who just starts discovering the dating scene, it is worth knowing basic local peculiarities. Don’t be too stereotypical though and don’t judge a potential date based off their origin – just relax and enjoy european dating.
How to meet european singles
People from Europe are very up-to-date and value modernity in all spheres, including dating. It is quite common to get acquainted on social media or dating apps and start the communication online. This is actually much more widespread than approaching someone you fancied on the street – addressing complete strangers in most cases is seen as inappropriate.
Before you go out together on an actual date, it is preferred to get to know each other better. It is great if you and the person you like have some common friends, since that allows you to meet in a friendly company for a few times before you decide you want to meet eye-to-eye.
But there are actually no strict rules about how the relationships should develop. European singles think, that the most important thing is being comfortable, and if you both feel like passionate kissing at the beginning of the very first date is the right thing to do, you just go for it. No one will be judgemental of any choice you make.
Who makes the first move
This part of european dating can be very different, depending on the region. In southern and western european countries it is more common for a man to ask a lady out. Here men court their girlfriends and do everything to provide romantic setup at the beginning of relationships. Men here enjoy the chase, they love to conquer women’s hearts, so they actively show their affection and are amazingly charming.
On the contrary, in such countries as Germany, Sweden, Norway or other Scandinavian countries there is much less of gender differences when it comes to dating. Men and women have equal opportunities when it comes to asking each other out. There is no shame in making the first move as a woman and showing active interest. On the contrary, some men can be quite reserved and hesitant to make the first move, which is why ladies take the action into their own hands.
What should a date be like
When you are dating in Europe, each date is a little outstanding event. Of course, no one will shame you about being casual, but it is regularly more appropriate to dress up a little bit. Going on a date, women wear dresses and hills and definitely do their makeup, men choose smart clothes too. You shouldn’t look over the top, but choosing something a bit special than a washed-out T-shirt and flip-flops is definitely a must.
Again, in France, Spain or Italy you can expect men to be extremely charming, especially on the first dates. They will drown their girlfriend in compliments and bring flowers, offer you to visit a fancy restaurant or prepare something else extremely romantic.
A question worth discussing when you start dating someone from Europe is who is paying on dates? Even though people are pro gender equality here, in some countries it is traditional for a man to pay. On the other hand, in Scandinavia it will be inappropriate to expect your boyfriend to always be paying for you. Altogether, it is much better to discuss it before you go on a date, so that you could avoid unpleasant surprises.
The only thing you should definitely avoid on dates is drinking. The only country in Europe, where it is kind of acceptable, is the UK, but other than that you will leave a much more pleasant impression if you don’t indulge in alcohol.
Kissing on the first date is also a part of general dating etiquette, if two people actually like each other. The only exception is France – kissing a person on a date here implies you two are in a relationship, so if you are just into each other, but not sure about how serious you want the things to be, avoid getting physical not to make the wrong impression.
Online dating european singles
European dating sites are very popular among people of all ages here. So if you are looking for the opportunity to meet European singles, these will be the best place to start.
Among the dozens of european dating sites, it is sometimes complicated to pick the right one. When it comes to dating in general, you want it to be pleasant and enjoyable and avoid fraud. We know how important it is to pick the right platform for dating, so we chose the best european dating sites and present them to you.
Tinder
This is actually not a website, and rather one of the european dating apps. But that doesn’t make Tinder any worse. On the other hand, many people find it more convenient to communicate through dating apps, just because you can easily do it on the go.
Some features of Tinder include:
- The searching process, which is unlike any other dating platform. Here you swipe right or left, depending on whether you like a partner or not;
- Simplistic registration procedure, which only includes creating an account, including some photos and completing your bio;
- The app is perfect for casual dating and chatting, though some people manage to find serious relationships here as well.
Tinder is available for free, but there are some paid features as well. For example, if you want to look for compatible partners worldwide, you will have to pay a membership fee.
OkCupid
This website offers platforms for individuals all over the world, so you will definitely be able to meet someone from Europe here. People come here both for casual and long-term dating and successfully find compatible individuals. Here is what OkCupid offers:
- Increased compatibility thanks to extensive registration process, which allows to create perfect matches;
- Convenient search system, which can be set up according to particular preferences;
- No flow of messages – you can only contact individuals who you matched with.
Using OkCupid is totally free, however there are some paid features as well. But because of no-cost registration you can come across a lot of ads or empty, abandoned profiles.
eHarmony
If you are looking for serious relationships and have defined intentions for the future, you should definitely try eHarmony. When registering, you have to complete an extensive quiz, which allows the mechanism to understand your relationship values as well as partner preferences. Some other features of the platform include:
- It gives a completely personalized experience with customizable dashboard;
- Matches are made based off user personality, which allows to avoid appearance judgement and increases the chances of meeting the perfect partner;
- Each day you get a list of compatible matches which you can come in touch with.
Despite eHarmony being a perfect website for those looking for long-term relationships, there is only one disadvantage: it can be quite pricey. You can download the app for free, but if you want to start messaging, you will have to buy a membership.
Badoo
Similar to Tinder, Badoo is an extremely easy dating tool. It is both available in web and app form, which allows to choose the most appropriate option for you. Advantages of Badoo are:
- A big database of individuals, which makes your choice almost unlimited;
- Strong moderation, which eliminates any fake profiles, spammers or fraudsters;
- It gives a possibility to look for compatible individuals both locally and worldwide.
There is no membership fee on Badoo – you can just join it and enjoy dating. And if you give precise and detailed information about yourself, the mechanism will offer just the right individuals for you to date.