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So I’m back in Sweden for a week and have a little while to mingle/party/get smushed on the T-bana with the Swedes. However, after living in France for a year and a half, I knew what was going on with the French dating system (quite screwed up). Now I know I have only been in Sweden a couple days (and will hopefully return permanently) but from reading various blogs and talking to Swedish girls, the dating system here is screwed up and really confusing.
First, I have to admit the American system is not good. It puts pressure on the man to pay, to do things, to have chivalry and then that puts pressure on the girl to put out. People date multiple people without really telling what’s going on and then all of a sudden things become official — “he’s my boyfriend now.” It is not acceptable for women to ask men out (believe me, it never works out even if he said yes on that first date).
Frankly, I’m not impressed with the system. I want to be able to pay my way, not feel pressured, and hell, if I like that man, I should ask him out. And if I want to have sex with him, I want to have sex with him. Doesn’t mean I will put out for the next man.
Now it struck me that dating swedish men is something more utopian (for me at least) but at the same time more confusing than it could ever be.
So I figured I should at least put down all my questions and observations on this blog in the hopes that folks will respond with their own experiences and observations.
The Questions:
1. Is it acceptable for women to ask men out?
2. Do men expect women to ask them out or vice versa?
3. What is the Swedish version of a “date?”
4. Do Swedes date more than one person at a time before settling down with one person?
5. Do men prefer that women take the lead (i.e. make the moves)?
6. Does it really take forever for people to get married in Sweden?
7. How does a second date work?
8. What’s with the text messaging?
9. How/where do Swedes meet?
The Observations and Advice from fellow Swedish women:
- Women have to make the moves to make things happen
- Text, text, text message…just don’t call
- Go out on a date and really have no idea where you stand
- Meet someone and have no idea where you stand after chatting for a few hours
- Learn that they do seem to keep their feelings bottled up. They could probably make great poker players.
- Ask the man for his number because he’s not asking you
- “Swedish men are inconsiderate” i.e. they lack chivalry (not my words either!)
- People don’t flirt in public places, e.g. the train, the queue, the store
- People don’t really smile and flirt with the eyes. No no no.
- Men are thankfully not seen serenading women like they do in France (so annoying and wimpy)
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I’ll add to this the more I understand (don’t understand) of this strange culture :)
