International Dating | How to Make it Work and Last

Find out how you can make a relationship with foreign women last.

While international dating has flourished in this digital age, the challenges of being in an interracial relationship are pretty much the same. Couples still have to deal with the judgment of other people and adjust to each other’s culture for the first time (and that’s on top of all the issues regular couples face).

Whether you are interested in dating foreign women, you would most likely deal with the same issues most interracial couples face. The question is how do you overcome them. Whenever the going gets tough, it helps to remember the following:

• Don’t make assumptions about your partner’s race.
  
  A lot of the negative stereotypes you read and hear about each race are probably not true at all. It’s better to just get to know the person rather than rely on those old tropes.
  
  After all, they don’t reflect who she really is. If you have an open mind and heart, that might just lead to a deeper connection between you. You might also have a different perspective on society in general.


• Don’t shy away from talking about race.
  
  Whether you like it or not, race is always going to be the elephant in the room. So might as well discuss the dynamics of it with an open mind. This also means being open to being wrong regarding your perceptions. Besides, ignoring the race card won’t make the issue go away. And some of the things you learn might just make you a better person and a better partner.


• Ignore what people say about your relationship.
  
  Don’t pander to people that judge your relationship based on what they see. If you do, they’ll take that as a sign that you're allowing them to make presumptions about your private life. You can ask for advice every once in a while, but make sure that person is objective. Also, the person giving advice should have your best interests at heart.


• Don’t be afraid to ask questions about her culture.
  
  Her culture is part of her identity. So in some way when you ask, you are also getting to know the other side of her. Also, it doesn’t hurt to know what are considered taboo in her culture. This minimizes the risk of putting your foot in your mouth.
  
  The other benefit of learning other types of culture is that you broaden your view of society. This also helps you understand and empathize with other people from different parts of the world.


• Ask for advice from other interracial couples.
  
  It’s always better to ask for advice from people who are in a similar situation as you. After all, they’ve probably faced (and overcome) the same challenges you’re struggling with. And the fact that they made their relationship work also means there’s a chance for your own relationship to succeed.

Some of these tips may be challenging and uncomfortable, but that shouldn’t stop you from finding a foreign girlfriend. What’s important is that you get into the relationship for the right reasons. All of your efforts will be worth it as long as you find the right girl to be in an interracial relationship with.