Just started dating an Englishman....thoughts, tips, advice, and your stories?!

Hey friends--

So, I've been here in Edinburgh a month, and I am sort of seeing this really cool English guy We've been out twice, having met at a Freshers' week Postgraduate Wine & Cheese thing... and while I wasn't totally sure what I thought about him on our first date, the second was great and I'm definitely looking forward to the next one.

I started the topic because I'm interested in what you all have to say regarding the cultural differences and whatnot--what experiences have you all had dating someone from the UK?

I'm sort of old fashioned for the American college dating scene, but I'm thinking this is a good thing because on our first date, we never touched. Last night, we sat close together and he would stand very close to me, but never made an actual move to touch me. And at the end of the night, he DIDN'T kiss me or make any attempt to come back to my room. Just goodnight and that he'd see me next week  

And it was all.....really effective. I'm definitely intrigued.

Obviously, I don't know if this is just an English thing, or he's just more subtle/into taking things slow, but it's definitely a departure from what I'm used to.

Anyway, I'm curious as to what you all have come across. I love a good story!!

Caroline

How fun 

I think its probably just this particular guy- not a cultural thing

I dated a few different guys after I got here and there were the varying degrees of "fastness" (and that is definitely a personal preference thing about how much you like!!)

It seems like you're enjoying yourself, so go with the flow and enjoy

Awww how nice and sweet but I agree with PB - go with the flow.
I say don't analyze over what's different as men are men just some have a different accent and different backgrounds...If they are truly a sweet and caring guy then you may find a great man no matter what country...

Are you here for school? Even better because you can date and relax and no visa pressures and he can become your show guide ;-)

Enjoy it!

Have fun!

I think its probably just this particular guy- not a cultural thing

I agree. I wouldn't spend too much time thinking about British vs American men, to be honest. A date is a date is a date.

Enjoy yourself! 

My US wife use to find some guys who were smart, well mannered, nicely dressed and handsome but unfortunately they already had a boy friend.

I'd say the cultural is no greater than that between two people from say, different regions of the US. Since you're already living in the UK, you'll be acclimated to some of the things that are usually a surprise to Americans. Everything else is highly individual. I find the greatest differences between myself and my husband are related to differences in socioeconomic background as we grew up, not location.

Hmm it's still really early in your relationship, so I wouldn't over analyze things. But later on, if you find yourself still curious about potential cultural differences in dating or emotive styles, I'd recommend reading a book like Kate Fox's Watching the English. While individuals can certainly vary dramatically, few would deny that there are probably differences on average between American men and British men (not the yob sort). 

American guy: "Wow, you look great!!"
British guy:  "You look nice."

British guy: "(insert insult)" with a poker face [just taking the affectionate piss out of you]
You: WTF. a**hole.

British guy: "(insert insult)" with a poker face [just taking the affectionate piss out of you]
You: WTF. a**hole.

Haha! My British fiance will do that! Of course, I never take him seriously since I know he doesn't mean it (and is generally fishing for reactions).