Date Culture

Avoiding hook up culture at US colleges

James Trotta — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:15:42 +0000

Interesting article here on the hook up culture on US college campuses. It focuses on a minority of students (according to the article) who have decided to avoid this culture. Many, it seems, are hoping for a return of traditional dating culture.

Americans giving advice on when to ask for another date

James Trotta — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:05:48 +0000

Here is another “aritcle” from a football message board to give you an idea of what some Americans think is good dating advice. Some other entries that use the same format:

Should a woman offer to pay?
Ideas for a 3rd date
How to rekindle a relationship

Anyway, the original poster’s question:

Last week I was substitute teaching at the middle school the town over from me and I noticed a good looking girl around my age in the employee break room at lunch. Now, I’m usually a wimp when it comes to approaching chicks but this girl was definitely trying to engage me in conversation. In a rare showing of intestinal fortitude I asked her out at the end of the day. She said yes, we went out on Saturday night and had an awesome time. Ended up hanging out Sunday night and I visited her at her school (Holy Cross) and got dinner Wednesday night. We had plans to have dinner at my new apartment this past Saturday but she came down with a mysterious illness over the weekend.

I talked to her Sunday and she said she wanted to hangout but this week probably wouldn’t work. Basically what I’m asking is how to I play it at this point? This girl is disproportionately better looking than I am so I went with the ’strike while the iron is hot approach’ which definitely backfired. I haven’t heard from her this week and I’m leaning toward going with the indifference card, not contacting her unless she contacts me and resort to a hail Mary call next week if I don’t hear from her. What say you?

Some of the answers:

1. How do you “play it” at this point? Why don’t you just ask her if she’s still interested.

2. Take her to a restaurant and buy her a nice meal. She probably got scared that you were inviting her to your apartment for dinner already after like 1 date. Maybe she’s old fashioned.

3. Don’t be a Tool. Call her, say hi, tell her you liked hanging out with her…ask her out again.

4. It sounds to me like she’s blowing you off but it could just be a bad time, so if you really like her it’s worth another shot. I’d wait the week out before asking her again, just to not be a stalker.

5. Good God, dude, slow down. In the span of a few days, you hung out way too much, you are waaaaay too available to her and she knows it. You went out Saturday night, hung out AGAIN the NEXT day, then drove to her school three days later (at this point, she’s probably already a little weirded out), then you want her at your apt three days later for an intimate dinner.

Way too much, way too soon, way too focused on one female before you really have a clue who she is, etc.

Right now, play the indifference card and let her come to you. NO invites of any kind, DO NOT ask her if she’s still interested.

6. Do not ask her if you should keep calling her, unless you don’t want to hang out with her again. Step on the brakes. Hang back — if she wants to get together with you this week, she’ll reach out to you. If you don’t hear from her after this week, you got the answer you’re looking for. At this point, I’d take her for her word she did get together w/ you 3 times last week. Asking her if she is still interested in you, when nothing apparently went wrong on the 3 dates, is not a good idea.

7. Game Over. “This girl is disproportionately better looking than I am”. If you believe this, you’re wasting your time. Confidence is what attracts women, not looks.

8. You already made the effort to try and hang out this week. At this point I think your best bet is to not call her and lay low. If she was interested, she’ll call you asking where you’ve been in about 2 weeks.

By the way, dinner as a date is bad. Too much eating without talking. Sitting across from someone at a table doesn’t lend itself to physical contact. Should have just gotten drinks, on a weekday. Weekend nights are too valuable, you put her on a pedestal already.

9. So when are you proposing to her? Tuesday?? Yeah, this was an easy one to call. You’re coming off as desperate and she’s reconsidering her initial feelings.

Think of yourself like a stock. You make yourself seem too available and your value plummets. Gotta pump that stock up. And the only way to do that with a girl who won’t be able to see you with other girls, etc. is to give the impression (real or perceived) that you have options/are wanted. All she can glean right now is that you have no plans… ever, and want to spend all your time with her.

She’s backing off… if she hasn’t bailed altogether already. Cool it

10. I think one can be confident without basing it on their looks. I don’t consider myself a good-looking guy, but girls have told me that they’ve liked me who are substantially better looking than I. I’m just confident in other areas, I’d say.

I’d slow it down. I’ve made the same mistake (I still do occasionally). Girls will say that they want a guy who cares for them, is there for them, etc. Bullshit in most cases.

And also, it’s much easier said than done. If you like her, you’ll want to contact her. But I’d lay low for a week or two and then ask again if she doesn’t contact you.

11. Your first problem is that you referred to the woman as a broad.

12. Sounds to me like you’re being a little too pushy and she needs her space.

13. My advice: All women are insecure to a degree, some more so than others. If you act like you don’t give a shit, they become insecure and come after you. If they do not come after you, they are not interested in you. Of course, not all women will react this way, but in my experiences, this is how it works for the majority.

14. Don’t EVER call a girl a broad. If she’s into you, she’ll call. Don’t ever ask if you should stop calling. Stop calling. Saying, “This girl is disproportionately better looking than I am…” tells me you need more confidence.

How do we Find Love? Dating Rituals across the Globe

James Trotta — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:37:35 +0000

How does culture affect the way we date? Dating really can have a different meaning depending on where you are – whether it’s an organised and supervised meeting or a frivolous, wine-fuelled meal.

Dating means something different in every culture. Etiquette, expectations, pace and motivations vary hugely from place to place. The Western world, for example, would term the dating rituals of less liberal societies, such as India, Korea and Pakistan as old fashioned and out-dated. But we can only hope that the overall aim is the same: to find love, happiness and eventually a life-long partner.

In most cases, the differences are due to the extent of both religious faith and parental control, which considerably affect the ease around the customs of dating. Arranged marriages, as practiced in India, Pakistan, and parts of Africa mean that the choice of partner has already been made by the couple’s parents, and although some parents allow dating after a decision has been reached, it has a very different emphasis. The couple know that they will marry regardless. In Iran, dating is actually illegal. Families arrange supervised meetings between their marriageable youngsters. These ‘dates’ are yet again different.

America seems to be where the conventional and most widely agreed meaning of the ‘date’ originates. In this more relaxed society it is not surprising that dating customs are far removed from parental control and religious traditions. Many Hollywood movies depict ‘dates’ usually in restaurants or bars with an endless political dispute over who should pay. Dating seems to be a way to test a potential partner before commitment is made and to decide whether they are compatible. The television series Sex and the City often depicted dating as far removed from committed relationships, with lead Carrie dating several men at one time, with some dates even leading to one-night-stands.

In the UK, dating is different again. Asking someone on a date is very rare and people will tend to interact in groups and hide the fact that they like someone until they either summon enough courage, or get drunk enough, to admit it. After that, there are ‘dates’ but the emphasis again becomes different as a lot of the embarrassment of the situation has been diluted by that first moment of intoxication.

The recent rise in popularity of dating online (here’s one such story), however, could mean a reform for the dating culture especially in the UK. Here, instead of meeting people in clubs and bars, situations often fuelled by alcohol; people who are looking to find love and are interested in commitment can find each other without having to wade through the mass of unworthy philanderers. Because nowadays, we really don’t have the time to look!

So, even though dating varies widely across the globe, online dating could be changing the overall emphasis, particularly in Western culture. Finding love could become far easier in every corner of the world…

San Francisco hotels

James Trotta — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:41:37 +0000

Where in the world?

The top spots for a romantic getaway

Looking to ignite the spark? Or perhaps even to rekindle the flame? There comes a time in every relationship when it’s necessary to take a break together, perhaps in the form of a romantic weekend, a summer vacation or even a round-the-world jaunt. No matter the means, the end is the same to cement the relationship with the one you love and to enjoy each others company in a destination catered for romance.

Yet where are the coolest picks when it comes to hot holidays with your partner? Here are some suggestions for international favourites.

Venice

The canals, the gondolas, the winding alleyways that greet you with glowing shop windows and more than a fair share of ice-cream! This Italian destination seems to be straight out of a fairytale, and every couple should be caught up in the enchantment at least once in their lifetime. However, avoid as much as possible being caught up in the crowds for Venice in peak season can be a human traffic jam! Combine your romantic Venice break with a discovery tour of northern Italy and pay homage to the ultimate of love stories at the balcony in Verona, famed for being that frequented by the young lovers Romeo and Juliet. Fact or fiction? It doesn’t matter when it comes to luuurrrve!
Paris

A city made for romance, you’ve got it too easy for a romantic break in Paris. Planning on popping the question? Well there’s only one time and place, on an evening bateau-mouche boat ride on the Seine, just as the cruise takes you to your first glimpse of the illuminated Eiffel Tower. C’est la vie à Paris!
London

Love in the British capital isn’t just restricted to an afternoon tea with scones! A visit to London ensures that your holiday will never have a dull moment. Don’t just stick to the permanent collections at the excellent range of national museums, however, as half the fun in London is found with those one-night-only cultural happenings. Street press and information stands at London hotels are indispensable for finding out “what’s on” in London town.
Dubrovnik

A veritable gem on the Adriatic, this southern Croatian city is like something only experienced in day dreams. George Bernard Shaw even went as far to call it ‘paradise on earth’, and for many visitors, this isn’t an exaggeration! Stroll around the narrow streets and graceful squares all enclosed by the stone walls of the old city, catch a glimpse of the crystal-blue sea waters from the ramparts or rocky beaches=85 in short, bliss!
San Francisco

If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. The fabled capital of free love back in the hippy era, San Francisco has a whole lot to offer young couples looking for an enjoyable weekend away or vacation. As cool and happening as it is liberal and open-minded, the city is a choice destination with many San Francisco hotels catering packages especially for the romantic getaway market.
Tokyo

Although the Japanese capital isn’t necessarily synonymous with an intimate holiday, you might be surprised to learn that the annual turnover of the love hotel industry is double that of Japan’s anime market, so we’re talking big figures here! For those who aren’t acquainted, love hotels provide a discreet option for couples requiring a room for anywhere from a few hours to luxurious overnight stays. Strange but true!

Need Ideas for a Third Date

James Trotta — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 01:41:50 +0000

Question: Ok, quick background…

Girl I knew from college (but wasn’t really friends with) sends me a message on Facebook that she wants to hang out and grab a drink sometime. So I tell her to meet me at a bar last Thursday. Conversation is great, she’s funny, we have similar interests, etc. However, didn’t I get a good sense if there’s any romantic interest. We say our goodnights.

I wait until Sunday afternoon and call her. I tell her that I’m going to take her out to dinner Friday (yesterday) night. She agrees, so we go to this expensive Italian restaurant. Same thing, conversation is great, she doesn’t have any problem opening up about herself, etc. I pay for everything. However, I still have no clue if there’s any physical attraction on her part. I gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek, but didn’t really get a sense that I would have been ok in making a real move.

So anyway, I wait a couple of hours and send her a text saying “Hey I had a great time. Look forward to doing something again soon.” She responds “I had a lot of fun too. Thank you so, so much. I’m sure I’ll talk to you soon. Night!”

So, the door is still open, but I still have no sense of where I stand. I’m thinking I need to step it up on the third date and then go for broke. Any ideas on what to do? Going to see a show is nice, but there’s no room for conversation. Any ideas? I’m not a super-creative person.

Also, Valentine’s Day is coming up. Too soon to send her flowers at work or something like that?

Answer 1: Slow down for a second. She initiated contact via facebook, which is a great sign, BUT if you’re not feeling any real sexual heat from her on a date, that’s a not such a good sign. However, I suspect you’re waiting for her to initiate that as well, and she probably won’t if she’s somewhat old-fashioned.

Stick to drinks, avoid expensive dinners for awhile; let her prove to you she deserves that. And when you’re out together, touch her … gentle hand on the small of her back, for example. If she returns the touch in some way, good sign. You have to make the move for a legit kiss, none of this on the cheek stuff. The kiss is what will tell you yay or nay, step up. And, if you don’t make a move on the 3rd date, you’re going to be stuck in the “Friend Zone” for good …

One other thing. NO TEXTS two hours after you just dropped her off the same night!! Cripes, let some anticipation build up, give the girl a chance to miss your presence.

Answer 2: the key is it’s something different that most men do. More than likely the girl has not had a guy take her to do something like ice skating, bowling, or going to a museum, or take her to go play laser tag (someone suggested this to me). More than likely, doing fun things like this (k, museum might be ‘fun’) already puts you ahead most of the guys she’s probably dated or might be seeing presently. You’re being different and unpredictable, a very good thing.

Answer 3: the fact that Valentine’s is a week away sucks because it’s awkward timing. You haven’t been out with her long enough (and you don’t know where you stand) to send her flowers or whatever. And if she’s psycho and/or old-fashioned she might get offended if you get her nothing. Tough spot.

Answer 4: Wait a few days. Call her up and say “Choose one, A or B”. She picks one, and you just respond “Ok, see you Friday”. Never tell her what you’re doing. Even play around with it a little and say like “You sure you wanna choose that one? Ok….”

I’m thinking bowling might be the way to go.

NO flowers … you don’t know where you stand with this girl, and a friendship with no legit intimacy doesn’t call for flowers. I guarantee you if you send her flowers on 2/14 given where things stand right now, she’ll run for the hills.

Answer 5: NOTHING beats dinner in, chez vous, followed by a great classic flick on the DVR. Providing your place isn’t a frat-like bachelor pad…

If you can cook, cook for her and have a great bottle of vino. Red or white, whatever she prefers. Write me back if you need wine help or food ideas, I am expert at that having benn 1st a chef (French,Italian)and currently a winemaker. If you can’t cook but know what she likes, pick stuff up from Zabar’s, g-d forbid don’tserve it out of the box but have nice plates and stemware set up for the wine, and flowers on the table - red or deep orange roses are good.

As for the flick, chose a GREAT classic, Elmer Gantry comes to mind but there are innumerable suitable choices, something that suits your common interests is good but just being a great flick is even more important.

Before you bother planning this you make sure she is interested:
Ring Ring Ring
“Hello”
“Hi. Was wondering if you would be interested in dinner and a movie at my place. Something romantic.”
“Sure, I’d love to” (or “Oh… I can’t…. my aunt Gladys is coming in from southern Jabeep”)

Should a woman offer to pay?

James Trotta — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:21:44 +0000

Here are some interesting excerpts from an online conversation (from a New York Giants football message board):

Question: Hey guys. Over the last month I’ve been seeing a girl who I met through a mutual friend and it’s been going really, really well. After a week of hanging out with her and our mutual friend(s) I actually asked her out just me and her and we’ve gone out 5 times in 3 weeks, each time getting better and better. Obviously, there’s always (on some level) that apprehensiveness in the beginning, but we’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with each other and the dates kept getting better. I really mean all of this. Every second we spend together we’re laughing and have interesting things to do and talk about.

Here’s my question though. It’s been 5 dates — 5 expensive dates. I’m talking really nice restaurants, most of which in Manhattan, than in the bar running up a pretty sizable tab for two people on a couple of the nights. As good as everything’s been, she hasn’t once even offered to put a dime into the evenings. I’m not cheap I promise. I happily paid over 150 bucks total for date one. A little less than that for dates two and three, but by the 4th, 5th, and now what’s going to be a 6th time going out together, I’m getting a little sick of dropping that kind of money.

It’s not that I don’t have it to do, and it’s not that I object at all to little things like just a dinner and maybe a bite to eat at a diner, but we just keep finding fun things to do lately. The check comes at the end of everything and she doesn’t even consider saying “let me get this one” or “Alright fine but this is the last time, and I’m getting the drinks. I’ve even been paying for the train tickets into the city.

Am I getting played here? I’m starting to think I am and maybe she’s just pretty good at this kind of thing. I asked her to a movie tonight and she was excited and said sure, so that’s a good sign I guess, but even with that I doubt she’d throw in anything. All and all, I’m a little under 850 bucks invested into this relationship and she’s spent I think 99c on a pack of gum for herself (she did give me a piece).

I want to stress how great we get along and how much we have in common, but is it normal for two people who have gone out a half dozen times and spent some time together before that, for the guy to be paying the entire bill every time? If it is normal I’ll suck it up… I just want to know if I’m being played here.

Answer 1: I always pay just because its the gentlemanly thing to do. However usually the girl will at least offer to chip in or help out, especially when it gets really expensive. Obviously I dont know in your situation, but it might be something to worry about. I don’t think you’re totally off base with this.

Answer 2: I’ve found it to be very beneficial NOT offering to pay for anything of hers in the beginning when going on dates.

Answer 3: If you ask a chick out, you should pay for everything. Don’t be a cheap ass.

Answer 4: I’ll pay if it’s necessary (she can’t), otherwise, I’ve learned it sends the wrong message, namely, Can I buy you things in exchange for sex? I used to always offer to pay for any and everything. No more.

Answer 5: She should offer but a lot of girls are traditional like that. To be perfectly frank, you’re the one being a douche here. You dont have to go to nice restaurants all the time! Insecure guys do that.

Answer 6: An offer to help pay should have been made by now. I usually keep the dates a bit more sensible at the beginning because if you go top shelf from day one they will expect top shelf going forward. Move forward, but be cautious and be aware that she may be looking for just a good time and you are offering that up.

Answer 7: If you’re in her pants why keep blowing big cash? You shouldn’t have done that right off the bat, because she’s playing you for your wallet. But, if you’re hitting it then there’s your tradeoff. “It’s going really well” has to be qualified by the dude, and whether he really understands women or not.

Answer 8: IS your issue that she isn’t at least offering to pay, or that she isn’t actually paying? If it’s the former, I agree that it says a lot about her. Usually at this stage of a dating relationship it is not unreasonable that a girl will offer, even if it’s an empty offer.

However, if it’s the latter, then I think you are expecting something that doesn’t normally occur. Especially early on in a relationship, if you are asking the girl out you are paying and that is what is generally expected.

You can broach this tactfully, though, if money is an issue. You can simply tell her you really enjoy her company and you want to continue getting together. But, every date can’t be as elaborate with the current state of teh economy, etc.

Answer 9: Get some chinese delivery for $20, pop open a $10 bottle of wine and you hvae a bed close by. You’ve set the bar high on these first 6 dates. Time to scale it down and re-set expectations.

Answer 10: It’s weird that she hasn’t offered to chip in once. That being said, I would still expect to pay for a girl 9 times out of 10. Just the way the dating world works. You said you enjoy getting served at nice NYC restaurants. Who doesn’t? But it’s a luxury you and I can’t really afford regularly. I think what you need to do is scale down your dates. There’s a lot you can do for a lot less money. From the sound of it, it sounds like you guys have good chemistry, so I’d say the setting doesn’t matter as much as you think it does.

Answer 11: Very bad sign that she hasn’t offered to pay at least once. not a deal-breaker, but a bad sign. I would test her. this is what you do:

go to a restaurant without her once and befriend a waiter/waitress and explain that you’re going to bring in this girl that you’re unsure about and you want to test her. it would help if this is a waiter (guy) who can sympathize with your plight. plan to bring her in on a night when this same guy is working and you’ll put your plan into action.

Arrange it so that he will bring the check to your table while you are in the bathroom. however, instruct him to place the check on HER side of the table, facing HER. then ask him to see what she does while you’re not there. If she doesn’t open it and just pushes it across the table for you to take care of, then she’s a gold-digging whore and there’s no future to speak of.

Answer 12: There’s no harm in talking to her about it. the trick is to find a way to bring it up that doesn’t make you sound cheap or selfish and doesn’t make her feel self-conscious. something like “hey, i’m more than happy to keep seeing you, but i’m a little concerned that i’m being played here. how about this- next time, you invite me and i’ll go wherever you take me.” see how she reacts. if she takes you out (doesn’t matter whether expensive or not), you’ll know she digs you. if she doesn’t, you may have been played. it may be that she lacks the funds, and you can tactfully inquire about that too…but only if she agrees to take you on that next date (you can even offer to pay for it once you see that her interest in you is legit).

Answer 13: If this girl genuinely likes to be with you, then don’t feel at all hesitant to ask her to pay for her share, I mean shit if your spending hundreds of $ going out and your not even a couple she should be paying her way. I was in a similar situation, I’ve been seeing this Girl for about 4 months now and when we first started going out I’d usually pay for everything, not that I would go to really pricey places though, pretty much BK, and shit. Anyway after a month she started to feel kinda bad because she didn’t really want to be in a relationship and felt she was using me, so she pays for everything that she get’s when we go out.

So I guess it comes down for you finding out whether or not she genuinely likes you, or is using you. I think you should start doing things that don’t cost much, that are still fun(watch movies at home, do outdoor things, eat at less expensive places). you shouldn’t feel like you have to entertain her. If she only likes to do expensive things chances are she is totally using you.

Answer 14: I did what I wanted and went where I wanted and with whoever was smart enough to go. Spent what it took to please me. She appreciated it or didn’t. I never attributed money or expected anything for money and never let it enter the equation of what I thought about her. Dropped money oriented people fast and compeltely and moved on quickly. Not part of the calculus in any relationship I was interested in. Went out for less than $10 when I did not have money, spent a fortune when I did. I always thought I spent it on me…not her.

Answer 15: Don’t get her in the habit of expecting expensive dates all the time. If she’s really into you, she’ll appreciate just hanging out for a slice of pizza just as much as she would for a steak dinner. As for who pays, if you’ve been doing the asking, then it’s not unreasonable for her to expect you to pay. When I was dating my husband, if he asked me out, he paid and I never offered. But what I did to “reciprocate” was offer to make him home cooked meals or I’d ask him out to events at which point I’d pay (or try to — he would never let me).

Answer 16: If you’ve slept with her, start going to cheaper places.

Answer 17: You ask a woman out, you pay. That’s how it goes. Then, you decide that you’re ‘dating’, and you’re an ‘item’, and you pay. Then, you fall in love…talk about the future….get engaged. And once again, you pay.

You see, at this point, you’re really renting…but you’re paying none-the-less. Here’s where things change. You decide to get married. NOW…not only are you paying, you’ll be expected to pay…forever. Even if you divorce, kids or no kids, you’re paying. You will always pay. I suppose that you can call this getting “played”, but the facts are facts. You will ALWAYS pay in one form or another.

Answer 18: Be a MAN. 5 dates in 3 weeks, you are already in her pants, you are making the decisions on where to go and now you want her to pay. How do you look in a mirror? That means resolve this how you want. If it bothers you, spend less, if it doesn’t, don’t change your habits. Stop worrying about why she does what she does, and do what you want.

Throw shoes at George W. Bush, get offered a wife

James Trotta — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:52:46 +0000

Reported in the December 19th Calgary Sun

CAIRO — An Egyptian man said he was offering his 20-year-old daughter in marriage to Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi, who threw his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush in Baghdad on Sunday. The daughter, Amal Saad Gumaa, said she agreed with the idea. “This is something that would honour me. I would like to live in Iraq, especially if I were attached to this hero,” she said.

I’m not sure that this represents a cultural theme or not. Does anyone?

Online dating is US popular culture

James Trotta — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:20:14 +0000

If popular culture is defined by mass media as Wikipedia claims, than an investigation of US movies and how the subject of online dating is portrayed ought to reveal something about online dating in American pop culture.

Online dating sites all have a terms or service that must be agreed to and one of the universal requirements is that you only place ads for yourself. Certainly, this is the case with all of the US dating sites I have investigated.

However in some recent Hollywood movies we see the rules being broken. Because I Said So (2007) is an interesting one because it features a mother placing on online ad interviewing men on behalf of her daughter.

In Must Love Dogs (2005) Carol places an ad for her sister, Sarah. This film explores some of the fears modern society has when it comes to online dating – as Sarah goes to meet her first date, she finds her father waiting. The next several dates also go poorly until she meets Jake.

Interestingly, Jake was pushed into meeting Sarah (someone else arranged the date). Their first meeting is awkward for several reasons (including that they both feel awkward for having met online). Eventually, Jake and Sarah do end up together, but at the end of the movie they say that they met at a dog park (rather than an internet dating site).

These two movies portray online dating as an accepted part of US culture. They acknowledge that many people feel apprehensive about online dating (thus the need for outside help) but ultimately US pop culture is showing us online dating success stories. Even the failures (for example in Must Love Dogs a teenage boy mistakes Dolly’s 61 years old for 16 and shows up at her house proclaiming his love) are seen as comic moments rather than serious hardships.

Can we learn something about dating in LA from a TV show?

James Trotta — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:01:22 +0000

Brad Garrett on a relaity TV dating show…

From Crackle: Dating Brad Garrett: Why Date Him?

I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t have much faith in a TV show trying to show us something real about dating culture.

More Korean men experiencing intercultural marriages

James Trotta — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:29:27 +0000

I just read about international marriages in Korea, particularly between Korean men and women from Vietnam, China, the Philippines, Mongolia, Thailand, Russia, Uzbekistan.

In my Korean language class, offered free by the government, there are 7 housewives, me, and a Canadian man. 2 of the women come from the Philippines, 3 are from Vietnam, 1 is from Uzbekistan, and 1 is from Kazakhstan.

In some rural towns in Korea, where population decline is a problem, the local government helps pay for men to fo on marriage tours because the women they bring back and the babies they will produce help the town.

There is some controversy over how the women are sometimes treated by their Korean husbands.

Date Culture

Avoiding hook up culture at US colleges

Americans giving advice on when to ask for another date

How do we Find Love? Dating Rituals across the Globe

San Francisco hotels

Where in the world?

The top spots for a romantic getaway

Venice

Paris

London

Dubrovnik