Dating can be difficult for everyone, but it can get even more confusing if you are in a new and unfamiliar country where the customs are very different or even the opposite from the ones you have grown up with.
According to Statistics Canada, by the year 2031 nearly half of Canadians over the age of 15 will either have been born in another country or have at least one parent born abroad. The agency estimates that just over half of these immigrants will come from Asia.
Immigrants to countries such as Canada may find that the already nerve-wracking world of dating becomes even more challenging than it was in their own country. For those who are looking to find someone in this foreign land, there are certain rules of etiquette and useful information that can help make this process a easier.
Personal Space
Canada is one of the biggest countries in the world in terms of landmass, yet its population is relatively low. For this reason, you may find that many Canadians need more space between than people in your country.
A good rule of thumb is to try and stand about one arm’s length away from someone you are having a conversation with. This amount of distance will put the other person at ease, making the conversation more successful.
Public Displays of Affection
Another thing to remember is that upon greeting one another, Canadians do not usually engage in a kiss on the cheek or a bow as they do in many other countries. Good friends that haven’t seen each other in a long while might hug upon meeting, but this will vary wildly between people. Even so, public displays of affection, while not unheard of, are less common here than they are in, for example, South American countries.
First Dates
Canadians might decide to meet over a drink or dinner, or another setting where they can talk and get to know each other better. A first date does not generally take place in the home of one of the daters.
Meeting Other Singles
Speed dating can be a fun and cost effective way to find your match
There is no single method of meeting other singles, so it’s up to you to find out the best method and channel.
Internet dating is increasingly more popular with millions of Canadians registered to one of the big name websites such as eHarmony, Match, Lava Life and Plenty of Fish. However, these websites are only as successful as you make them. It still requires a lot of work to find the right website and the right match for you.
Speed dating is an event where many different people meet a series of potential dates for about five minutes and exchange information as quickly as possible. Afterward, follow-up dates can be arranged if two people feel like they have connected well with each other. These events generally occur every few weeks or monthly and range in price between $20 and $50.
Social Meetup Sites such as Meetup and Couch Surfing were not originally designed for dating, but they are a great way to make friends, and maybe more. Regular events and activities are categorized by interest and are usually free to participate in.
Although dating in a new country can be challenging, it is not impossible. If you If you think of it as an adventure, where you make it The best thing to do is to keep an open mind and try and adjust to this new experience the best that you possibly can.
Source: Capital News
