Love around the world
While Valentine’s Day has become another commercially celebrated holiday in the U.S., Americans’ way of showing appreciation to their loved ones with chocolates, flowers and Brach’s Candy Conversation Hearts isn’t the only way Valentine’s Day is done.
In Europe, it’s more common to go out with people already in your circle compared to asking out acquaintances.
According to a survey completed by Expatica, dating in Europe is very much a “friends-turned-lovers” situation, where friends will go from hanging out in groups to hanging alone to finally committing to that relationship romantically.
Europeans are also much less concerned with the fanfare of dating than Americans.
Whereas Americans place a lot of focus on labels and specific dates, Europeans take a much more laid-back approach to finding a companion.
Expatica said Europeans “don’t start with formal dating either and it’s only after a series of informal meetings — walks, dinner, cinema, theater — that they might start being seen as a couple. It’s also common for couples to keep the fact that they’re an item to themselves.”
Aside from the difference in excitement, Americans also are much more diverse in their dating pool and frequency than their European counterparts.
“One of the biggest differences I’ve noticed is that in America we casually go on dates with different people every day without it being weird,” said Sariah Rees, a communications student at Utah State University.
Rees, who also served an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hungary, added “Hungarians are all about commitment to one person. They thought it was weird when I told them early dating in America is non-committal.”
On the other hand, European dating culture is relatively similar to Latin American culture.
Cindy Vasquez, a freshman at USU, said in Uruguayan dating life it’s normal to date one person seriously because you get odd looks if one were to date around and meet other people.
Latin American dating is also very family-based. Oftentimes, a potential partner has to win over the father — even in the more matriarchal Latino countries, according to an NBC article.
South America and Europe aren’t the only dating scenes unique to America, though. Other cultures, such as Vietnam, are also very unique in how they engage in romance.
Asian cultures are much more traditional in their expression of love and interest.
In an article from Psychology Today, it said, “Traditional Asians pride themselves on their marriages, families, children and continuation of the family lineage.”
While the dating culture across Asia has been traditional for a long time, recent culture shifts caused by globalism and migration have frustrated these conventional mannerisms.
Particularly, the tension arises in the individuality of Americans compared to the collectivism that has long ruled Asian cultures.
On this subject, the article from Psychology Today added, “In traditional Asian cultures where collectivism rules, input for many decisions are shared or made by the elders in the family. But in the U.S., where individualism reigns, these Americanized children buck the tradition of getting parental blessing on dating or marriage partners, and thus the strain becomes much more evident.”
Monique Marks, another USU student, said going back one or two generations, dating was very traditional in Vietnamese culture.
“The parents were more involved and controlling, social status was very important, and relationships that made sense financially and socially were sought after and encouraged,” Marks said.
But Vietnamese dating is another culture that has also changed with the rise of the younger generation.
“There’s a lot more liberty that goes into dating, especially in the big cities. It’s not super different from Western culture,” Marks added.
Regardless of cultural differences though, however and whoever you date this Valentine’s day is the perfect opportunity to learn about other cultures and how they celebrate their love for their partners.
-Michael.Popa@usu.edu