*Ever daydream about going abroad and meeting the man of your dreams? Although this is entirely possible, it is also much harder than expected.* *_Here are a few tips that I picked up while studying in Paris last fall…_* We all know that meeting someone special in America can be hard enough. When abroad, I found it to be even harder. This is not because there is a lack of potential, but rather because I did not know the ground rules. Here are a few things that I wish I had known… *1. Don't give your number out unless you really want it to be used.* French men don't play as many games as American men; if they say they're going to call, they will…and often. I had more than one friend who ended up having to ask a man to kindly stop calling them. Although French men love to call all the time, they are also very prone to text messaging. This is not an insult or a game. Air time on European cell phones is extremely expensive, so texting will quickly become your favorite method of communication, as well. *2. Being asked to meet for "un café" in the morning or afternoon is a normal first date.* Instead of our traditional dinner and a movie date, the French usually opt for the stereotypical outdoor cafe environment, which is conducive to chatting and getting to know each other. *3. French college students often live at home.* Being introduced into their home and family is a big deal, so don't be surprised if you never see where they live. On the other hand, I had a lot of friends who dated older men. Conventional rules about dating people in your age bracket don't apply as much in France. *4. In bars, French men will not be too shy to come up to you and talk.* They are generally much more forward than American men, so don't be surprised if you often hear the cliché statements about how beautiful you are and how much your eyes shine the clearest blue. These comments become more annoying than amusing after a while, but they're no reason to be uncomfortable. Also, even if you end up talking to one of these admirers for the whole evening, don't expect them to buy you a drink. They may offer to treat you, but more likely than not, they won't. Buying drinks for women in bars is not as common a practice in Paris as it is in America. Furthermore, it is a huge insult to ask a man you just met to buy you a drink. My friend learned this the hard way on her twenty first birthday. *5. Although meeting new men can be a lot of fun in Paris, it can also be a bit scary.* As a foreigner, you are constantly out of your comfort zone. Even if you are nearly fluent in French, there will be plenty of times when you don't understand what people are saying to you. French slang among younger Parisians is like another language, and it is very complicated. It's difficult to know when someone is telling you that you are beautiful and when someone is insulting you. Furthermore, don't be surprised if you are insulted for being American…even by a man who you are chatting with in a bar. This does not mean that French people hate Americans, but rather that there are ignorant people everywhere. By nature of the fact that our government is carrying out some very controversial policies right now, there are issues that people will want to debate with you. Because of the language barrier, this situation can become extremely frustrating and at times heated. If you find yourself in a situation where you are feeling uncomfortable, even if you have a strong opinion that you want to express, my best advice would be to walk away…no matter how cute and charming the man you're debating with is. I've seen these situations turn ugly more than one time. For all the warnings that I've issued, I have to say that meeting guys in Paris was really fun. A lot of times, funny interactions caused my friends and me to laugh for hours, and the memories I have of nights out in Paris always bring a smile to my face. As long as you keep the same level head on your shoulders that you do in America, you'll be fine. Amusez-vous et bonne chance! Read More