By Farah Sandra Salman
It’s safe to say dating remains the same regardless of where you live. A gold digger in London is no different from one in New York City; it’s just that you’re dealing with pounds rather than dollars.
Being from New York, and living in Prague, I’ve been on a fair share of dates. Along the way, I learned it really doesn’t matter where you live. Dating is just as mind boggling between the skyscrapers in Manhattan as it is on the cobblestone streets of Prague.
But I do think there is a difference between the way Europeans and New Yorkers view sex. Men’s jeans may get a couple of sizes smaller as we cross the Atlantic but their dating expectations sure don’t.
Dating Men in Europe
I don’t want to stereotype all men, but after going on dates with guys from various European countries, it seems that sex is viewed a bit more casually by Europeans.
And by causally, I mean immediately after you get the check. Although I, myself, have nothing against people who casually sleep around, it’s not really my cup of tea.
It didn’t matter whether the guy was from England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, or the Czech Republic, most seemed a bit foolishly optimistic as to what to expect at the end of that first date.
Dating Men in New York
Men in New York, at least in my opinion, are far more realistic as to what to expect when their dates are over. Sure every guy is hoping for the best possible out-come, but they’re not counting on it the same way European men do.
At first, I thought that maybe it was just me until I spoke with my girlfriends who also lived in Europe. They agreed. We really all had the same experiences when it came to assumptions at the end of the night.
Call me old fashioned, but I’d at least like to know your last name before I venture off to your apartment for the first time. Coming from a city with 8 million people in such a densely populated area, I don’t think that’s exactly prudish.
The last thing I want to do is go home with someone only to see their face plastered all over the news the next day, and I’m not talking about the Wall St Journal or Forbes.
Needless to say, dating for me in Europe has been an experience I’ll never forget, even if some of those experiences were worth forgetting.
The good, the bad, and the ugly have all taught me things that are significant to how I approach dating today. Each time I go back to NYC it’s like a breath of fresh air.
Love in the Air
Sure that may be an oxymoron since the air in Manhattan is not exactly fresh, but with the endless amounts of options we have in the City -men included-, what’s not to love? If you’re unhappy with one man you don’t have to look further than the next block to find another.
And now that my time is Prague is winding down this month, I’m looking forward to coming home to New York City and seeing the real “Man”hattan again. It will be a breath of fresh, comfortable air.
