Czech Romance and Dating

Discussion in 'Culture' started by Sethol, Nov 12, 2002.

  1. Sethol

    Sethol New Member

    Hi, I am an American man and I would like to get some advice on dating a Czech woman. I recently met this Czech woman in one of my classes (we are both graduate students at a University in the US). We have been spending a bit of time together over the past few weeks...we have common interests and a very good chemistry. I am very interested in her, and she seems to be very interested in me...we have already planned a number of activities together. We are not, however, officially dating, and we haven't discussed it yet. I would really like to know more about male-female relationships in the Czech repbulic, and maybe how they contrast with relationships in the US. I just don't know what a Czech woman might expect of a guy who is interested in her romantically. I don't want to scare her off, but I would like to get the ball rolling...

    Any advice or information is greatly appreciated. We are both about 30 years old and only a year from receiving our Ph.D.'s in physical science fields.
     
  2. Adikema

    Adikema New Member

    I am too am interested in female-male relations. I am a female from the US and am "dating" a guy from the Czech Republic. I met him this summer in Germany and am visiting him for Christmas. I am interested to know what a Czech guy might expect in a relationship, etc. Thanks!
     
  3. CZfan

    CZfan Member

    I am also dating a Czech man and would like any tips as far as topic taboos etc.
    Or any kind of fun thing that would surprise him like any kind of traditional czech foods I could cook or sayings.
    It would be fun to hear some generalizations on typical Czech dating ettiquitte.
    Thanks!
     
  4. yosoysk8r

    yosoysk8r New Member

    It seems like a few of you are dating/planning on dating someone from Czech. I for one will at some point date a Czech girl, but why isn't anyone giving you answers, suggestions? If you're out there, we would like to know about dating Czech guys/girls. Thanx. [​IMG]
     
  5. CZfan

    CZfan Member

    Anybody? Don't you think this is finally an interesting topic...? Suggestions?
     
  6. yosoysk8r

    yosoysk8r New Member

    Exactly! Come on!
     
  7. Anke

    Anke Well-Known Member

    Hi everybody,

    I am not Czech but I dated a Czech boy. I was not very successful so I still don't know much about that. But I can tell you that both male and female Czechs are very romantic. According to my knowledge, dating rules in CZ are less formal than in the US. There are no rules where to go to for a date, how often to meet during the week, when to meet his/her parents etc. I personally think that the Czech man/woman you are dating is well aware of the situation that you don't know about customs in CZ. They are living abroad and probably know about your customs and expect you do act as your used to.
    Any suggestions/corrections from a native Czech welcome...
     
  8. Adikema

    Adikema New Member

    Thanks for your latest reply...it does help a bit, except that my guy lives in the Czech Republic. So it is more of me not knowing customs, etc. and him not being aware of our customs (in US). I am meeting his family over Christmas, which is exciting. I was just wondering what kind of generalized things to expect (like your example of being romantics.) I appreciate comments up to this point. Perhaps there are more people out there with this kind of experience? Let's hear from you! [​IMG]
     
  9. Dasa

    Dasa Member

    Well, it seems to me that nobody wants to cut into it. I can only share with you my personal experience. I am a Czech female and a few years ago I had been dating somebody from London. Receiving flowers was one of things that helped to win my heart (later we got married). It happened only 3 times but the impact was immense. When the first bunch of big red roses was delivered to my office, the card noted “With Love from Russia” (quote from James Bond). I was in shock and to be frank not quite sure from whom it comes from. That day most employees and also the general manager came to look at my desk and admired the romantic gesture.
    By and large, giving flowers is considered as very romantic. Especially when most Czech men think that’s waste of money. In case you find that a bit over the top, perhaps you can cook dinner for your partner. Having a quiet dinner with candles works as well.
    I am sure that all of you can come up with some original ideas. Just think about your partner and try to use your imagination. It’s not about buying things. You are supposed to show your involvement/interest.
    Good luck!!!
    Dasa
     
  10. Dana

    Dana Well-Known Member

    Hi! I'm a Czech female living in the United States, married to an American. I have been struggling to come up with some useful advice. The reason is that I'm having a hard time finding any striking differences between the Czech and American (British/German/Polish...) dating customs. Don't most women appreciate receiving flowers, being treated to a romantic dinner from time to time, hearing how pretty they look, being listened to and cared about? These things work the same in the Czech Republic as they do in the States. When I watch Sex and the City, I think Wow, this is right on!! Which I guess answers Sethol's question about what a Czech woman might expect of a guy who is interested in her romantically. I think a more valid question to ask would be what a woman might expect of a guy... You have common interests, very good chemistry, you spend time together, you're very interested in her, she's very interested in you - where's the problem?

    As far as taboos go, I cannot really think of any. It might help if someone gave some examples of topics they think might be taboo in the Czech Republic – then it would be easier to give a direct answer. In general, I think that Czechs tend to be pretty open minded, so I wouldn't worry too much about topics to avoid.

    Come to think of it, one "no-no" - at least in my opinion - is to date several people at the same time (which I admit does happen on Sex and the City [​IMG]) and turn dating into some kind of a one-woman/guy-a-week project. But I don't think this is something this discussion was supposed to be about.

    Another turn-off in general can be rushing things too much and forcing the other person to have to put a label on the relationship too early. Letting things take their own course is more natural, less stressful, and definitely more romantic. I would say it's safe to go ahead and take the next step when it simply feels right. An American friend of mine recently told me that he'd been seeing a Venezuelan girl for a couple of weeks, cooking fancy dinners for her, taking her out, driving her around in his Mercedes, etc., and he started getting tired of acting as a "sponsor" (which by the way was his own choice) when he didn't even know if they were officially dating. He said that he finally had to ask her point blank, to which I replied that to ask her that was a big mistake. They're not seeing each other anymore...

    I guess my point is, the relationship is going to work or is not going to work not because she is Czech and he is German, or because she made a cultural blunder due to the lack of knowledge of local customs, but based on whether or not the two people click. Of course distance plays a role too and then things again depend on how strong the relationship is and if it can last long enough to lead to bigger things. All this sounds very cliché, but I think that's how things really work.
     
  11. Diamond

    Diamond Member

    Hello there fellow foreign people.
    I am a young man Czech born and still Czech living. I'll gladly answer your questions since I had been studying romantic behavior of Czech people for a few years and found some interesting facts. But I have to put things in my head to order so I will tell you later, I promise, so stay tuned please. See ya
     
  12. Diamond

    Diamond Member

    Well, I think that interstate relationship is a bit risky. Two persons involved in this should ask them if it is really worth of it and if they really want to have a romance that way. See, sometimes it might be the fact that the Czech Republic is not a pleasant place to be so it would be nice to escape from it. But I don't blame the people thinking that way. If you had lived here you agreed. Anyway, Czechs tend to not to hide their feelings so much as Americans (come on, disguise!). That's why Czech girls greet sincerity. Us guys from CZ are maybe more tolerant and try so hard to come up with our partners and it may be the reason why our relationships lasts longer. We also try to not to rush things or haste them in any way. If it happens so that things are rushed, girls become more surprised and indecisive which leads to fear and breaking the relationship. If I had to summarize it, we let the things come out in more natural way (that's why there's no dating rules, etc.). It varies from person to person, of course but mostly it happens so. Another thing is treating. It is true that things like flowers or dinners are not so common here and women treated in the special ways like that are positively surprised but they will also ask themselves "will he bring me some flowers even if we had been married for ten years?" But it DOESN'T mean that the Czechs are less romantic. Respectively, we try to spend more time together instead of distant flirting. Unfortunately Czech people are becoming modernized as the influence from west comes here. That means they a starting to think just like you, western people, namely carelessness about the partner's feelings. And one advice for foreign guys: It is great to treat your girl with little present but DO NOT show how rich you are! Try to act as commonly as your partner is! Then you get to know if she likes you as a person and not that your money is her interest! You can't even imagine how often I'm hearing girls saying things like: "Why bother to do anything now? When it comes to it, I marry some rich German/American and I'm saved for life." I don't think that foerign women should fear from this (hey, I know I'm a man, but frankly I try to be objecitve!) But you men out there, beware! You don't want to fooled, do you? -- That's it. I don't know if I can tell you anything more valuable, maybe if I'll get some straight questions, bye.
     
  13. yin

    yin Member

    Totally agree with Dana.
    I like a Cz guy but i let it be.
    We are now in different place and i believe that if it is destinated, it'll work out finally.
     
  14. Bobie

    Bobie New Member

    Hi Everyone,
    I am a Czech guy.
    5 years ago, I met this Polish girl at a summer camp in the US. After we returned to Europe, we were visiting each other every 14 days. The trip took 10 hours! by train.
    2 years ago we got married in California. Now we are living in New York.
    I can tell you, that international relationship CAN WORK if you really love each other. So, I encourage international relationships!

    Bob

    Bob, we moved the reference to your website to the Commercial / Ads forum where all advertisements should go. Thank you for your contribution! - Local Lingo

    [This message has been edited by Local Lingo (edited January 14, 2003).]
     
  15. mishka

    mishka New Member

    Hi,
    I go to Prague regularly and then take a train to Poland from there.
    I know what you mean, it's a trek.
    Well done.
    I took some kicking pics of Prague, the people and Slovakia from the passing train the train as well. It is over 10 hrs, u gotta do something!
    Check out the "restaurace" too, some interesting conversations there if you speak Czech or Polish!!!
    I'd like to share these with you since my friends are already sick of my travelling stories. ;-)))))

    PZDRV to everyone

    mishka

    Thank you for your post mishka. We removed your link since the site seemed to contain mostly advertisements and was not relevant to this discussion. We hope you understand.

    [This message has been edited by My Czech Republic (edited April 04, 2003).]
     
  16. JimL

    JimL New Member

    Hey! all you Pretty Czech Ladies. I am Jim from florida, well educated, mom says handsome, and would like to meet one of you for a good relationship and possible marriage. we can talk and I will be happy to proved more info and fotos when you write. bye and thanks. Jim
     
  17. JimL

    JimL New Member

    that word is ..........provide
     
  18. boohiss13

    boohiss13 Member

    I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned here, as I find it VERY prominent in the Czech men I've met.

    I'm an American married to a Czech, live in the US and have alot of Czech friends. I'm also friends via the Net with a few men in CR. One trend I see, especially those who live outside the larger cities, is what we call here in the US a "50's attitude" towards relationships. In other words, old fashioned. Now, that is not in every aspect, but I've found that when it comes to a woman's "place" (for lack of a better word), what we consider "old fashioned rules" here in the US apply alot of the time. For instance, from what I have learned, it is normal and many places expected in CR, that if a man gets a woman pregnant he must marry her. All the married men I know in CR are married because they got their girlfriends pregnant, in fact. Several of my husband's friends back home have married for the same reasons. Here in the US that is not expected anymore, as it was, say, in the 50's [​IMG] . Also, in CR, women are paid by the government to stay home with new babies for the first two years.....that does not happen here in the US....so I think the attitude that "my wife has had a baby, so now she will stay home" carries over even if the Czech man is in the US. My husband thinks this way, as does all his family, and every Czech male I've asked about it has said the same thing. (I have NOT responded well to this [​IMG] We've agreed to disagree!) Here are a few other things I've noticed as well. Now, mind you, this is just from the Czech males *I* know or have spoken with, so it doesn't go for the whole country or anything [​IMG].

    1) It is frowned upon for a married woman to party like the boys if her husband is not with her.

    2) Women are still expected to do most of the cleaning and cooking, especially if children are involved (more so than here in the US, where this is sadly still a problem as well)

    3) Czech men seem to be real penny pinchers, sometimes doing things that seem odd to a young american, like hiding cash in socks, under matresses and so on. They'll buy the cheapest of anything most of the time, and will use anything over and over until it almost desinigrates (saves money! [​IMG] Funny note: my husband always asks for no ice in his sodas; he says he gets more soda for his money!!! [​IMG] )

    4) I agree with someone who said that Czech dating seems to have less boundaries than American dating. For example, in the US it is normal to come to a time when you are dating someone else where you will have the "are you going to see other people"-discussion. I haven't met a Czech man yet who knows about this discussion, and my husband definitely didn't. He just assumed after we had gotten a bit serious (wink, wink) that we were an "item". I ended up having to bring it up and he was a bit shocked that I could have been seeing someone else beside him at the same time.

    5) Homosexuality is not as accepted (not by a long shot) in CR as it is in the US. So, for anyone who is gay, tread carefully. Also, interacial dating is just considered flat out insane by the Czech people I know. The Czech people I know here in the US have gotten a bit more used to seeing this one, but the homosexuality still creeps them out.

    Hmmmm...brain just went blank, but I can think of lots of other differences as well. I'll add them if my brain comes back online.... [​IMG]
     
  19. Jitkakru

    Jitkakru New Member

    Hello Sethol, and anyone who wants to know about Czechs.

    I am a Czech female, living in England now. Yes, international relationshps can work, I worked in England for two years, met a man and then went to America, stayed for a year and my man visited me 7 times and now we are married and live in England.
    To give you some tips, I think that WE Czech girls like a lot of romance and get worried a lot for any little silly thing. (I am better now). But my husband loves Czech Republic, specially the beer. Czechs are very family oriented and like to have fun, specially alcohol drinking.
    Yes, I suppose, there is still a lot of the generation where men expect women to stay at home and look after children and do the cleaning, so it is kind of weird to have a man who also does housework etc.
    But Czechs are very friendly and kind to all people, always offering vodka, beer etc.
    Good luck in your relationship anyway, if you need anymore info, send me e-mail on Jitkakru@yahoo.com with heading "Czech friends".
    Jitka
     
  20. babygirl

    babygirl New Member

    I am wanting to know more about romance of CZ men, to learn as much about his needs as possible, I am an American and enjoy the company of my CZ friends, I'm am (slowly) learning CZ,it is such a beautiful language.
    I've learned a bit from reading everyone's comments. Thanks.
     

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