A Guide to Dating European Men: What to Know

Dating European men can be exciting, unexpected, and even life-changing. But it can also be something of a culture shock if you don’t have experience dating in this part of the world. From differences in communication styles to work-life balance to eating habits, there are a lot of areas that may require some negotiation and compromise.

So, let’s talk about what you can expect from dating a European man and how to make the most of your time with someone from “the Old Country.”

First, let’s get specific

Depending on which atlas you refer to, the continent of Europe contains between 44 and 50 separate countries. Each nation-state has its own political history, culture, economic standing, and yes, dating practices. So, even though we’re going to be talking in general about “the European man,” the reality is, his personality will be influenced heavily by where in Europe he’s from. Here are a few examples:

Nordic Countries

The Scandinavian countries north of the continent (Sweden, Norway, and Denmark) make up the Nordic region of Europe. And dating here is quite different from dating on the mainland. For instance, men here tend to be on the quieter side and quite reserved, but very straightforward when they’re interested. They’re also more likely to expect bills to be split 50-50, even on the first date, and they don’t tend to buy into traditional ideas of chivalry.

Eastern European

Eastern European countries, such as Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, etc., tend to be much more traditional and self-contained than the rest of Europe. They believe that men should be the ones to take charge and take care of their partners, and they’re extremely proud of their unique cultural traditions.

And, they’re almost surprisingly direct; they don’t enjoy small talk, and you’ll never wonder what’s going on in an Eastern European man’s mind.

Central European

Central European men, from Germany, Austria, Hungary, etc., are some of the most career-focused and active men in all of Europe. As such, they don’t have a lot of time for dating, but when they do, be ready for a highly active date, such as a hike or bike ride.

Similar to Nordic and Eastern European men, you’ll know exactly where you stand with Central European partners. They don’t mince words, and they’ll tell you clearly what’s on their mind.

The UK and Ireland

Dating here is unlike much of the rest of Europe, and you may notice a very relaxed, standoffish kind of dating culture. Men here tend to be very reserved and indirect, and you might not know where you stand with them until you’ve spent a lot of time developing a friendship. Flirting and public displays of affection are minimal, but men from the UK tend to be polite and even chivalrous.

Southern Europe

Finally, we have Southern Europe: Portugal, Spain, Greece (and we’re going to throw France in here simply because dating practices tend to be more similar than in other parts of Europe.) This is the Romantic region, both figuratively and linguistically; remember that southern countries in Europe speak Romance languages, stemming from Latin. And yes, they do tend to live up to the title. Men from this region are often very expressive, forward, affectionate, and chivalrous. And you’ll be treated to whirlwind romances that are full of passion and excitement.

So, how is dating European men different from the US, Canada, or other countries?

While there are certainly regional differences to consider, you’ll also notice some commonalities within the continent that set European men apart from the rest of the world. Let’s take a look at how some of these European quirks can play out in dating:

European men often speak multiple languages

This is true for most Europeans apart from the UK and rural areas, where traditional languages are likely to be the norm. But, when it comes to major cities throughout the continent, you’re likely to date men. who speak at least two languages, maybe even three or four. You might find this to be quite intimidating, but it’s just because education systems throughout Europe tend to teach English at younger ages than other parts of the world. And the high levels of tourism and intercultural exchange make it more necessary to speak multiple languages.

What does this mean for your dating life? Well, on the plus side, it means that your European man will be able to help you enjoy regions where you may not have mastery of the language. But, it can also be something of a drawback if he makes you feel less than for only speaking English.

They’re incredibly proud of their culture

As you date European men, you’ll notice that they’re likely to feel strongly connected to their cultural roots. This might look like your Italian boyfriend losing his mind if you make pasta the wrong way. Or it might look like your German boyfriend giving you a history lesson on ancient beer brewing practices of German monasteries.

In general, this will make your experience dating European men richer and more exciting. Get ready to learn a whole lot about cultures that you might have only had a vague idea about before.

If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of the role of culture in your date’s worldview, consider:

• Doing your own research into their history
• Consume media (films, books, art) made by artists from their country
• Ask them what values or traditions were passed down in their family
• Ask them about their favorite holidays

And they may have some stereotypes about your culture

If you’re an American dating European men, this point will be especially prominent. The truth is, while many Europeans understand that the US is a large and diverse place, many of them buy into some of the stereotypes associated with North Americans being loud, uneducated, self-centered, uncultured, etc. But, even if you’re not from the US but elsewhere in the world, Europeans may still have some misunderstandings or ignorance about where you come from.

This could be a sticking point for dating European men, or it could be something that brings you closer together. For instance, if they’re open-minded, you’ll be able to talk about what cultural practices you are proud of and things that you like about your country. This kind of multi-cultural exchange can be enriching and build empathy and understanding between you.

Many European men care about how they look

European men’s fashion is a serious thing, and in many countries, you’ll find that your date might put even more thought into how he presents himself than you do.

This can be a good thing if you find well-dressed men attractive. But, it could be a turn-off if you’re used to more casual dressers or men not really putting a lot of thought into what they look like.

A first date will look different

If you have a specific idea about what a first date should look like, be ready to have your assumptions challenged by a European man. And again, this will depend a lot on where you are. A first date in the UK might include a few pints at the pub. A first date in Austria might include a walk through a museum. And a first date in Italy might actually be a weekend trip to the coast with five of his closest couple friends (okay, we’re exaggerating, that’s more likely to happen on the third date.) But in almost all cases, it won’t be dinner and a movie. That’s too Hollywood for Europe.

Football is popular, pretty much everywhere

Football is one of the great unifiers of Europe, with each country rallying around its national team, as well as supporting its smaller local teams. And, like family and cultural traditions, most Europeans feel very strongly attached to their football club.

So, what does this mean when dating European men? Well, don’t be surprised if entire afternoons of his schedule are blocked off to watch the match with his buddies. And, don’t be surprised if football jerseys are a regular part of his outfit rotation. And, if it happens to be a year that the World Cup is taking place, well, be ready for your life to include a whole lot of football for a few months. It’s all that anyone will be talking about.

If he’s not into football, likely, your European crush is equally as invested in one of Europe’s other big sports, like Rugby, Formula 1 Racing, or Cycling. In other words, get ready to make room for some kind of sports fandom if you plan on dating European men. It’s part of the territory, and can actually be a fun thing to bond over.

Punctuality is regional

It’s important to talk about the importance of being on time when dating men from Europe. Because, depending on where you are, punctuality—or lack thereof—will play a role in your dating life.

Let’s start with the more punctual of European men, who are typically from Central or Northern Europe. These guys are going to be on time, and they may consider it a red flag if you aren’t. Take Switzerland, for example, a country world-renowned for its superior watch-making abilities. Men from here are likely to be extremely punctual and time-conscious, so plan on showing up to a first date on time or even a little bit early.

But punctuality isn’t universal across Europe. In fact, Spain, France, Italy, and other cultures in Southern Europe are more lax when it comes to being on time. Don’t be surprised if the Spanish man you’re dating has more of a “go with the flow” attitude about making plans and sticking to schedules. They’re not being rude; it’s simply a cultural difference.

PDA? Also regional

If you have dreams of smooching your European cutie next to a fountain or holding hands while enjoying a glass of wine at a street-facing cafe, you’ll want to think about countries that have a more positive view of public displays of affection.

In general, the colder climates, such as the Nordic countries or Eastern European countries, are going to be less touchy and affectionate. But the farther south you go, such as Italy, Malta, Spain, etc, the more likely the men will be comfortable with PDA.

Some European men are going to be cigarette smokers

Smoking in general is on the decline across Europe. But it’s still more widely accepted than in many other parts of the world. So, if you have strong feelings about not wanting to date someone who smokes, well, you might be whittling down the potential dating pool of European men.

That being said, there are regions of Europe where men are less likely to smoke, including Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium. So, if it really bothers you, consider heading north!

You’ll probably have different ideas about work-life balance

Finally, one of the biggest differences between dating someone from Europe versus elsewhere in the world has to do with work-life balance. Even the most industrious countries in Europe tend to have pretty strong concepts of labor rights and focus more on life outside of work than behind a desk.

Europeans tend to enjoy more time off, have certain job stability measures built into their contracts, and generally have robust maternity/paternity leave laws. But even beyond the regulations, Europeans often think of work as secondary to their personal life. Italians and Spanish men, for instance, are likely to be more committed to family gatherings than giving up their weekend for work. British guys are going to want to spend their lengthy holidays traveling to somewhere warm. And you might find yourself talking to your European crush about a variety of different topics before they ask you what you do for a living.

If you come from a very career-focused culture, this can take some getting used to. But don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of enjoying your free time pretty quickly.

What kinds of experiences are you looking for when dating European men?

Clearly, there’s a variety of different kinds of personalities, lifestyles, and dating cultures to be found across Europe. So, where will you look for your perfect match? No matter if you opt for a more stoic and serious Nordic man or an expressive and romantic Mediterranean one, dating European men is never boring!