I thought the evening had gone well, at least for a Bumble date. We'd had jerk chicken and fruity drinks at a bustling Caribbean restaurant in Stockholm, spoken about politics, and delved into internet culture until the lights were switched on and the pumping melodic beats came to an abrupt halt.
As I glanced around, I noticed we were the last people there. I guess you could say growing up in Australia and the UK, living in Sweden, and visiting London every other month has given me a unique perspective on dating. But my reasons have always been the same β a long-term commitment. And now that I'm finally partnered up, I can reflect on my experiences and share what I've learned about dating in different cultures.
Fresh out of high school as an year-old, I was desperate to have a boyfriend. I began meeting people at clubs, at bars, and through mutual friends, as is the case with dating in my hometown. It's not uncommon for people to meet in high school and never break up, becoming totally enmeshed in each other's lives over the years.
My experiences with dating in Australia were often laid-back, with friendly banter and relaxed meetups β they often erred on the side of being too casual for me. One date, in particular, stands out, when I drove to a local pie shop to meet a Tinder date who greeted me with a handshake and a pat on the back as if I was an old schoolmate he'd bumped into on his way to lunch.
While I can't argue that the experience would be the same for everyone β Australia has plenty of chivalrous surfer dudes β I wouldn't have scoffed at a little romanticism every now and then. Having finally graduated from college and hot off an obsession with "Vikings" I left Australia and settled in Sweden. In reality, I was hardly prepared for how confusing the world of online dating in Stockholm was as a foreigner. The Swedish concept of " lagom " or moderation, permeated every aspect of my life, including dating.
