A Foolproof Guide To Dating Abroad

We all fantasise about finding love abroad; after all, who wouldn’t say no to a whirlwind romance in an exotic setting? Daydreaming is all very well, but finding the perfect holiday match in real life is a whole new ballgame (just ask all of Love Island’s dumped contestants).

How do you navigate language barriers, cultural differences, and flirting, without awkwardly wondering if you’re on the same page? Belle consulted the experts at language learning app Babbel for their help on finding love abroad…

Know which apps to use

It’s hard to remember how couples met before websites and apps dominated the dating market. But, with so many people and so little time, it’s often the best way to put yourself out there and meet the right person quickly – perfect if you’re on holiday. Before travelling to a new country, check out the most popular apps in each area. In North America, the market is dominated by Tinder, Bumble and Hinge, whereas further south, the leaders are Badoo and Jaumo. When it comes to Europe, Badoo, Tinder and Happn are the most used options, while Tantan is the most popular in China. Asia, Australia and New Zealand favour the classic Tinder.

If you happen to stumble upon your perfect match…

Quick! You’ve found your ideal match and you think they like you back, but how do you know that they’re flirting with you? These useful hints will help you read those all important signals from your foreign crush.

The French typically use pickup lines ironically, whereas the Italian, Spanish and Swedish prefer to open with a subtle and elegant compliment. In Sweden, telling a complete stranger they are attractive can be seen as coming on too strong, but when delivered subtly, can be very charming and help to break the ice. If you’re flirting with a Spanish, Italian or Swedish person, you’re likely to hear a few of the following phrases:

Spanish: ¿Me das tu Instagram? (Can I have your Instagram?) – Rather than asking for your phone number, the Spanish often use Instagram to stay in touch, as a way to keep it cool without being too pushy.

Italian: Ciao, come ti chiami? Non credo tu venga qui spesso perché ti avrei notato/a di sicuro. (Hi, what’s your name? I don’t think you come here often, otherwise I would have noticed you for sure.) – Yes, that old chestnut.

Swedish: Går du hit ofta eller? (Do you come here a lot?) – And that one.

Etiquette to remember, for an evening to remember

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the first date. Now comes the most exciting and often the most tricky part of finding romance abroad: the date itself. Here are a few of the most common dos and don’ts on first date etiquette to help you start off on the right foot:

Where should you go for your first date? 

It’s unlikely your first date will be over dinner if you’re dating in Sweden, Norway or Denmark. Instead, you might get to know each other over a coffee or a drink first, then perhaps go for a meal on the second or third date. In France, it’s custom to invite your crush to have coffee, meet at a restaurant or alternatively, go to a tea salon for something a bit different. Pubs and bars are considered too loud for conversation.

In Australia, dating locations and activities tend to be a little more unusual, reflecting the country’s outdoorsy and fitness-driven culture. Rather than another dinner, try an exciting open air activity to break the ice, like surfing or zip sailing. Perhaps uncommon in most cultures, at the end of a hetrosexual first date in Russia, it’s traditionally expected that a man accompanies a woman home or orders her a taxi in order to make sure that she gets home safe. While this might seem a little old-fashioned, it’s seen as the respectable thing to do in Russia.

Keep the conversation light…

Discussing ex-partners isn’t advisable in most countries, but is especially taboo in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Canada and the Netherlands. Financial matters, politics, the future potential of the relationship, how many children you might want to have and religion are also subjects you should avoid if dating in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Poland. Discussing politics and religion on a date is normal in Brazil, but the topic of money should still be avoided entirely. Don’t touch on personal issues like health on dates in Germany, Italy and Poland, but when it comes to Russia and Australia, there aren’t any taboo subjects, so let the conversation flow, from comparing your favourite bands, to letting loose on family topics.

Know your measures

If you’re drinking the same wine, then order a bottle for the table if your date is in France, Spain or Russia. Conversely, when in Sweden, Poland, Brazil or Norway, it’s expected that you’d order one glass each – even if drinking the same wine. While there are no set rules regarding what to drink in Italy, Germany, Canada or the Netherlands, in the US and Australia, it’s common to have a beer on a first date.

There is no harm in going halves

It’s a sensitive moment that comes at the end of every date – and while there aren’t any hard and fast rules, there are some cultural traditions and insights to gauge how to deal with the dreaded bill. For example, the man will typically pay for a date in Brazil, but in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands, it is much more common to split the bill. If in doubt, always offer to pay your half!

• If you’re still stuck, try the Babbel Date Prepper, a free tool to teach you essential pick-up lines in other languages, you’ll be flirting with confidence in no time.