Australian Women OnlineThe Ultimate Guide to Dating Etiquette in Europe

Photo © Radu Razvan – Fotolia.com

To an outsider, dating etiquette in some European countries can seem strange, amusing and more than a little confusing. For example, did you know that in Portugal it is an absolute no-no to hand a date red flowers, as they are seen as a sign of revolution? That talking about the weather in Norway is a guaranteed ice breaker because it changes so often? And that in Denmark it is a tradition to have sex on the first date?

If after reading this, you find the prospect of dating in Europe a little scary, you’ll be happy to know that online dating service MySingleFriend has scoured the European dating scene to create an interactive dating map which details what you need to know when dating on the continent.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 16.2% of all overseas trips from Australia are to either Continental Europe or to the UK & Ireland. So with almost a fifth of all Aussie holiday makers heading to the continent each year, some of us are bound to meet a potential match while travelling. \

Furthermore, with more couples than ever meeting on the internet, and with the introduction of dating apps that enable you to connect with new people from wherever you are in the world, geographical location is no longer a factor in finding love, even if you’re planning on staying home. With this in mind, you don’t want to risk embarrassing yourself or any potential new partner by remaining ignorant about the dating etiquette in his country.

We’ve listed some of the more interesting romantic traditions below.

Italy: Don’t expect your man to hold a door open for you in Italy. It is actually considered gentlemanly for the man to walk through the door first.

France: Although wine is around 30% cheaper in France, getting drunk on a date is a big no no.

Albania: Love often blossoms at The Xhiro (pronounced giro) – a nightly event where Albanians dress up and walk up and down a closed boulevard checking each other out.

Estonia: If you’re hoping for a romantic Valentine’s Day, forget it! In Estonia it’s known as ‘Friends Day’ and is more about remembering your pals than your significant other.

Malta: Never turn up empty handed if you are visiting a girlfriend or boyfriend’s house. Even a house plant will do!

Netherlands: The notion of ‘Going dutch’ comes from the Netherlands so be prepared to pay your half of the bill.

Switzerland: Punctuality is very important – being fashionably late is a big no-no!

Macedonia: In Macedonia dating is not limited to the young. Here love has no age limit and you will find weddings where the bride and groom are in their late sixties!