Adventures in Asia

So here goes a second post about dating in China! For my credentials, see the previous post, Dating in China: Meeting Someone . In my discussions with fellow expats, reading blogs and my personal experience, I’ve identified a few happenings unique to the Chinese-and-Westerner couple. (Most of what I present here are generalizations from my limited knowledge / experience, culturally sensitive disclaimer, there are exceptions.) Here's another scenic photo, that also has nothing to do with dating! The Nagging. “Have you eaten yet?” is Chinese for “How are you?” In addition to eating habits, the partner expresses concern for your bedtime, your lack of exercise, the amount of clothing you wear in winter, drinking cold water is bad for your stomach, it’s sprinkling do you have an umbrella… And on and on and on. As an independent world-traveler, it can be difficult to receive this form of affection. But once you recognize what your partner really means, and you express how ...

I am in my mid-twenties, I’ve lived in China for over two years, and I’ve been officially dating a local for a few months now, so here it goes: a post about dating! (“Two years already??” Yes, yes, time flies. Please don’t ask after my Mandarin, I’ll lose face.) Here's a scenic photo that has nothing to do with dating. You're welcome. To start, let’s take it back to the noob days. When you’re a lonely new expat, you make friends anywhere and however you can, from attending trivia nights in random bars to planting yourself in the local Starbucks on a regular basis. These public places are your only social options in the beginning. And back home, public places (including social media) are often acceptable spaces to meet not just friends, but also people with romantic potential. Unlike back home, I do not know of any foreign/local interaction in a public place that has resulted in a real dating relationship. There are a few major turnoffs that usually happen quite q...