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[–]begonia_skies 9 insightful - 1 fun9 insightful - 0 fun10 insightful - 1 fun -  (14 children)

I am American and I have dated someone who is British, someone who was Russian and I now live in Germany and I have gone on dates with German women. What I will say is that cultural differences can be hard, and language barriers can really make those differences feel insurmountable. There were challenges in each relationship. I found the Russian woman I dated was very blunt, and that was really hard for me since it felt like she was criticizing me a lot, but she did not see any issue with using direct language.

I also have had a hard time dating German women, I'm not saying anything negative about Germans or Germany because there are wonderful things about Germany, but Germans can be rather cold and, again, are very direct. Germans like to say that a German friend is a friend for life and view American niceties as frivolous and fake. Germans tend to see themselves as more authentic in this regard, maybe, but having to "prove" yourself worthy of friendship (or just basic friendliness) is draining, esp when you are an expat. So, for me, I think I would prefer to date another American or someone from a culture more similar to mine, but of course, if I met the right person then that may change, lol.

And these are just my own personal experiences, I don't think they are representative of any country as a whole.

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (13 children)

I've heard the idea of Americans being fake a lot when I was in Asia. You also have some Asians as well who will say one thing and mean another, but American "politeness" seems to not be popular while abroad. The biggest complaint I found was how we say, "I'll talk to you later," as a goodbye...but we rarely talk to people later on that day.

[–]begonia_skies 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (12 children)

Haha, yes my German friends hate the "how are you?" greeting in America that is expected to be met with a "good" or a "fine". In their eyes, "how are you?" is a question for putting on a pot of tea and listing health and life problems for 45 mins. I've tried to explain, it's really just a greeting and not meant to be taken literally, but I can see how that may come across as fake or insincere.

[–]florasis 5 insightful - 3 fun5 insightful - 2 fun6 insightful - 3 fun -  (11 children)

How are you is a normal saying in Italy too. It's just a way to greet someone and you aren't supposed to really tell your problems. Seem like italian and american culture are ways more similar. Did you find USA more funny to live in?

[–]VioletRemi 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Here "how are you" is used as a greetings, but you should reply to it. So it is often "How are you?" - "I am not very well, and you?" - "I'm fine. Long time haven't seen you". Etc.

[–]florasis 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Same

[–]begonia_skies 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (8 children)

I don't think I find the US more funny, I guess. I haven't been back in awhile, so it is always a little disorienting the first few days back. Americans will just start talking to you, like in a line, or anywhere and that never happens in Germany unless they are telling you that you did something wrong, lol! I have been to Italy several times and in my personal opinion Italians seem more laid back and more focused on their families. I think Italians are louder in conversations than Americans, but I don't think passion is a bad thing. Italians seem to be really proud to be Italian and proud of their culture. Driving in Italy is a nightmare though!

[–]florasis 5 insightful - 2 fun5 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 2 fun -  (6 children)

Are you going around all over the world? Yeah, we have pretty strong family ties. Relationships with our parents are sacred and mother is a very important figure here. In USA, parents expect to kick out their kids at 18. While here, especially in south, they won't complain to even help their kids at 40. The relationship with our parents is the most important because in the end they're the one that will love us like no others ever will. And being loud and hand gesturing is our nature. Even our most introverted ones, like me, will seem pretty expressive comparing to the north coldness. And yeah, there is pride in being italian. It isn't a case that many italian americans will brag about their origins, even if they don't speak italian and have little in common in italians born here. Our country is beautiful, if they had the organized economy and politics of north Europe, it would be the best country on the planet. I don't see much problem driving, but depends where are, I guess. But I think americans are more funny the north europeans and more exciting to know-

[–]begonia_skies 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

Haha, okay I thought you meant "funny" as in weird. Yes, I think Americans do have a better sense of humor than Germans, but I don't really "get" German humor, so that might be the issue. And I love Italy, I have been many times! Spain and Italy are my two favorite places to visit because I love the laid back vibes, when I am on vacation I want to chill out and relax. So I am a big fan of southern italy and sicily, with a nice glass of red wine - sounds like heaven to me.

[–]florasis 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

No, I meant funny in character, way of being, the general country atmosphere. I think North America is better than north europe in that sense. But North Europe is better for stress free life. I guess it depends what you want in life. For someone raising kids, North Europe is way better. I mean, raising kids is already hard, if you also add healthcare expenses, edeucation debt, childcare and others big worries I don't really know how americans manage it.

I'm from Sicily, I won't live here for long, but I hope to die here.

[–]VioletRemi 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

I actually dislike that part in americans the most :D

[–]florasis 8 insightful - 4 fun8 insightful - 3 fun9 insightful - 4 fun -  (2 children)

The shitty individualism and lack of good universal healthcare? Yeah, it is depressing.

[–]blackrainbow 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Well, i think it also depends on the region, veneto is not that laid back and more similar to Germany than the US