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Culture Transition Tips for Single Expats
by Heather Markel
People who relocate with a partner have a built in person to share in the everyday tasks - from making the house feel like a home to setting up the bank account. You, however, have had to do this all on your own. So, be patient - you're going to accomplish a lot more on your own, so you need to allow yourself time, and forgiveness during the process. When you finally are ready to step out and meet other singles, there are many things you need to consider. Her are a couple: What is the dating/married culture like where you're living? * Are you living someplace where people date exclusively, or do they casually date many people before getting serious? * What kinds of activities do singles tend to participate in - where's the best place to meet them? * How does this culture handle paying on dates - does the man or woman pay? Is it typical to split the bill? * When you observe couples, especially married ones, what typical roles do you observe when it comes to romance, paying, and children? These are good things to clue in to so you can better understand cultural norms and how you react to them. There are many things to observe while you learn to date in a new culture. It's crucial that you take the time to pay attention to these observations, and try to respect them so you can enjoy the dating experience. How do you meet other singles? The next key piece for you will be figuring out where you can meet singles. Though the workplace will hopefully offer you a few friends to help you meet other people, you may end up having to handle this piece on your own, for a while. Online dating is more and more popular in many cultures as one possibility. And, generally speaking, the more events and classes you participate in, the better your chances are of meeting someone new! To learn more about settling in to a new culture, I invite you to sign up for my free newsletter at www.culturetransition.com   The Culture Transition Reading Room contains articles contributed by Culture Transition Coach Heather Markel, author of the Learn to Feel At Home Anywhere in the World Relocation Success Guide and Social Success Strategies, both available in E-book format. Heather's now got two new E-books out. Learn how to make a new city feel like a home and how to find activities you love. And learn the secrets of a successful overseas work experience. Learn how to prepare for the professional changes to expect after relocating. She offers a great 30-day money-back guarantee. Guestbook • Contact • Answers ASAP • Our Community • Blog Site Map • Privacy Policy • News • Videos • Experts • Links |
