We’re amazing, we know – and I’ve got a number of friends who’ve been dating people long distance or that have emigrated over here who have been sharing the ups and downs of dating people who just aren’t used to us. As a country, it’s fair to say we have a bit of a reputation for being brassy and up front sometimes, but curiously this doesn’t always seem to be the case when it comes to dating. Or at least, that’s how I’ve heard it described.
Certainly, compared to some places, we’re a bit reserved. While it’s perfectly acceptable in many places around the world – and we’re looking at you here, USA – to just ask someone out on the street, you’re more likely to get us beating a hasty retreat if you try it out here.
It’s not that we shy away from love, more that we apply the same chill-out and relax attitude to our dating as we do to anything else – well, apart from our sports of course. So here’s a quick list of Do’s and Don’ts to help you if you fall for one of us and want to try your luck:
- DO: Go Dutch on your date unless you’re determined to put on those smooth moves by shouting dinner. There’s no pressure for you to pay for everything, but likewise don’t expect your date to pay your way either.
- DON’T: get too worried if it doesn’t feel quite like a traditional date. Hanging out, eating fish and chips at the beach can rate as really serious to us.
- DO: Ask your date out for coffee as a simple, cheap and casual first date.
- DON’T: Hand out business cards. It comes across as really being full of yourself. Just ask someone for their number.
- DO: invite your date to come hang out with you and your mates. We’re all about the casual get together and getting our collected wider circles of friends together makes for great parties.
- DON’T: be all intense and come on strong. Very little will kill an Aussie romance quite as fast than a slick attempt to slide up and demand a dance. Try just introducing yourself casually and find some common interests for us to chat about.
While I’m sure this will all sound quite odd to visitors to our shores, trust me – it will make sense when you get to know us. Aussie romance has a simplicity at its heart that helps make dating us fun. With all that pressure to impress taken away, you’ll find it a lot easier to get to know your date, and who know where it could lead.