Were you aware that August is Romance Awareness Month? We hope most of you are already aware of how to be romantic in your own culture, but cross-cultural romance is a different story altogether. We asked our e-Tutors to share some tips for how to be romantic in their cultures. We’ll be updating this post throughout the week with new romantic posts, so keep checking back here for updates to the links below.
Romance In Japan
“The Japanese prefer not to publicly display affection. You don’t even want to hug your lover or even your spouse in front of others in Japan.”
Romance In France
“The great classic: Le petit déjeuner au lit (breakfast in bed), apportés sur un plateau (brought on a tray), complete with croissants chauds (warm croissants), café au lait, oeufs (eggs), jus d’orange frais (fresh orange juice), and un clin d’oeil (wink).”
Romance in Brazil
“In Brazil, as in most countries, romantic means dar flores, giving flowers, mandar chocolates,sending chocolate, deixar bilhetes, leaving notes, passear de mãos dadas, taking walks holding hands, dançar, dancing, beijar ao luar, kissing in the moonlight.”
Romance in Spain & Latin America
“A typical date could simply entail going for a walk around town and simply be seen by others as taking a stroll together. A more formal date would include dinner or going to the movies. In most cases, holding hands wouldn’t happen until after a few dates.”
Romance in Greece
“Another romantic gesture would be inviting your love interest to watch the ηλιοβασίλεμα (ee-lio-va-SEE-le-ma= sunset).”
Romance In Italy
“Italy is a country of romantics; after all, the very stem of the word “romantic” encompasses the name of the city of Rome. ”
Romance in Arabic Cultures
“In Arab cultures, common romantic gestures include holding hands, hugging, and patting someone on the cheeks and shoulders.”
Want the right words to say I love you in some of the languages above? Start studying now with one of our online courses!