Us dating norms

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I know every country has some degree of fetishization but America is on actual crack levels when it comes to this. Asking people out via text, asking people out via Facebook, asking people out via every technological device possible. But heading for the hills when they see you in-person. The extent to which people have a fixed type, right down to what they want the other person’s favorite color to be. Okay I’m exaggerating and I do believe everyone has certain inclinations and what not but I have to admit Americans are a little too precise with this one.

The fact that people are freaking obsessed with certain accents, and it apparently ups their attractiveness points. Guys: not knowing how to dress for a date. Like maybe this speaks to how much less formal America is than almost everywhere else but come on, if you’re going somewhere nice, can you at least try? How quickly someone will call you their girlfriend or boyfriend on one hand.

On the other hand, how fearful people are of that label. The ridiculousness on the part of both single people and people in relationships on Valentine’s Day. Maybe this is very specific to my African upbringing, but that word is going to be used very conservatively. Are you willing to die for me bro? Because that’s what it basically means where I come from.

Going on dates that feel like a game of twenty-one questions or an interview. And you’re just like, um, would you like to know my blood type as well? I cannot think of a single topic of conversation I find more dull than knowing the ins and outs of someone’s job especially when I barely know them. That you’re seen as some kind of incompetent, inept human being if you haven’t been in multiple relationships by the time you reach early adulthood. Whereas in a lot of places that’s when you start any sort of real relationship. People not knowing what constitutes an actual date. I am ever talking about social constructs but come on, can we please agree you inviting someone to eat leftover Papa John’s is NOT a date?