From country to country, it is fascinating to look for similarities in cultures to see big differences. For example, if we can see similarities between France and other countries with certain social behaviors, there are big differences when it comes to dating.
It's different from what we see in the movies when it comes to meetings in France, let me assure you. So, if you are looking to go out in France, here are seven things to keep in mind.
1. There is no dating code
In other western countries like the United States, there is some kind of dating code. You ask someone out, take them out to dinner and watch a movie, etc. There are distinct stages to be taken in the dating game.
In France however, there is no such thing!
Don't get me wrong, the French know they can get intimate with someone. But what is important here is the general attitude on certain things. The way the United States and other countries conduct meetings is very different from here.
As we go through this, you will find that a lot of things that are forbidden in other cultures are accepted - and even adopted! - in France. For example, the idea that two people are going to dinner implies nothing at all. In other cultures, however, people may read this too much.
2. Expect a lot of flirtation
Another aspect open to the French is flirtation. In the United States and other countries, flirting is aimed at strangers or people you like. But whether you are single or not, in France there is a lot of flirtation regardless of marital status.
For both sides, flirting is an art form. So you're going to see it thrown a lot.
In the case of women, they flirt because:
Men, on the other hand, are not bound by specific standards. Instead, they flirt for key reasons:
Overall, flirting is a flexible tool in this game. It can become a way of attracting people or innocent comments that don't hurt anyone.
3. Body language is everything
When you go out in France, body language makes all the difference. Why? Well, let's look at two scenarios:
Because of these two scenarios, you can only truly rely on body language as your saving grace. If you want to know exactly what someone is saying, watch what they are doing.
See also:
The ultimate guide to French politeness and kindness (discover the "kissing" here)
How to meet new people in France and make new friends
Women are the most telling on this subject. You can expect them to show interest when they:
In the case of French men, they are more difficult to read. Part of that reason is that dating is a game for them. They will flirt, be persistent and tenacious and more. But they are like that mainly for the game.
This means that they are more into the sport of being in the dating game. Having sex and being with someone else is an added bonus for them. With that in mind, you probably won't know if they're interested unless you ask them directly.
4. The French decide if it's a go or not
As I mentioned above, going on multiple dates doesn't mean you're dating that person. To answer the question of why this is not the case, we turn to women in particular. While there are all kinds of standards for women, they do have their benefits. One of them is deciding whether they are dating the person or not.
It may take several dates to convince a woman to date you, which suggests several things:
But what is so interesting and amazing is this: even if the girl says yes or no, the game is not over. There is no expectation or obligation on the part of either person!
5. Love and sex are more exclusive
Do you remember I said that the French are more focused on knowing someone? Well, this particular point reinforces that: how they deal with love and sex.
Since the French are more direct with their flirtation, it means that their true affection is more reserved than others. That's not to say their flirtation lacks emotion, but the thought of dating and having sex is a deeper form of affection than other Western countries.
But if having sex is intimate, talking about it is a good thing. For example, many people talk about waiting to meet that special someone to share their first time with.
And a little off topic, but the nudity to this extent is also more open. Children are allowed to be naked at the beach. Even women have the right to be topless! Although today you see less of this behavior.
See also:
10 myths about French women
10 common myths about French men
6. Even meetings are exclusive
But another exclusive aspect is dating. But that shouldn't come as a surprise. The French have the culture of being direct and open on so many things, there is no particular story. Thanks to this system, it is not unusual for French people to flirt with several people while they are single.
However, that changes when they are dating someone. Once they have decided that they want to date someone, you need to stay exclusive to that person.
Because of this aspect of French culture, it's easy to see how the dating game takes a long time to develop compared to other western cultures.
7. Dating in France can be complex
Navigating this dating system takes experience and understanding. You don't need to delve deeper into the culture to understand everything. But the more you know, the better you can navigate the dating scene.
If you decide to start dating in France, my suggestion is to take these aspects to heart. I would also suggest Read this article on other labels when you are dating a French woman or man.
By being aware of cultural differences, you might get lucky and find a Frenchman you can fall in love with.
Which part of the meetings in France do you find the most interesting? Share your experience in the comments!
