The UNB International Student Advisor’s Centre has recently hosted workshops focused on the basics of dating in Canada for both male and female international students. Since moving to Canada I have noticed a lot of differences in the Canadian dating world in comparison to home.
One of the major differences I have noticed is that most Canadian men are pretty passive and laid back when it comes to dating. It seems as though it is apparently the woman’s job to show that she is interested instead of being approached by the man.
This is a major difference to what I’m used to at home. The dating scene at home is quite basic: once you are out of your home you are fair game. Bahamian men are straight forward with their interest and don’t hesitate to say if they are attracted to a girl. The display their interest by verbal communication such as “Hey pretty girl can I have those digits,” meaning they want your number, or by hand motions indicating that they want you to come over and talk. Or the infamous “seek” which sounds like a catcall and is often heard through the streets of the Bahamas.
So, as you can imagin,e coming from an environment where men are pretty aggressive and then moving to a place where a guy can stare at you the whole night and not say a word is pretty different to say the least. When I first moved to Canada I had a pretty open mind about dating, I thought ‘New place, there must be tons of guys to go around.’
I was wrong. Well, there was a ton of guys, but very few of them spoke much. Sure, they would look at you, but that was it. All I would get was random stares and whispers, and to me that just wasn’t productive. After a while I gave up on dating in Canada until I met my current boyfriend who is from the Bahamas as well. Oddly enough, we met in Fredericton even though we’re from the same place and his approach to dating was more of what I’m used to, he didn’t even have to be that aggressive. The fact that he talked and said that he was interested was an improvement.
Some may think that aggressive men are no longer appealing and are a thing of the past. Personally, I feel that if a woman wants to be aggressive and make the first move that is her choice, but I enjoy being asked out by a guy. There is nothing wrong with being the chaser, but I’m sure it makes a woman feel good to sometimes be chased.
Each international student I’m sure has had a different experience with dating in Canada. Dating etiquette can diversify from place to place so it is definitely a new experience wherever you may go. This is a topic that has come up during many international students’ conversations because many of us don’t understand the cultural differences of dating until we travel abroad. Whether it is a positive dating experience or a negative one, each experience is one to learn from and apply for the future.
Click the images below for larger versions:
OMG it's the constant staring that baffles me. "Dude didn't your mother tell you that it's rude to stare."
My thoughts when I feel that piercing, almost tangible stare is like, "ok you got my attention?" now are you gonna be a man or just stand there all night looking at me." and it gets to the point where it's annoying, like someone tapping you on the shoulder and not saying a word.
Post new comment