Dating in Germany

Dating doesn't exist here. At least, not in the way most Americans think it does.

When one thinks of dating there is always this pressure hanging over both parties. The guy usually pays and does so for the remainder of the dating period. The girl-- and guy-- dresses up nice. They go out to eat to talk, the guy orders a steak and the girl orders a salad, etc. Dating is basically there for people to go out and find if they even like each other, but in the most poliet and strainded of ways.

If you asked a German teenager what "dating" is like here they would just stare at you. They don't date, they hang out. They go to movies. They are friends first and foremost and there is absolutely no pressure on either side to conduct themselves in ways that "dating" usually requires of us. They are themselves and absolutely no pretenses are given. You pay for yourself, because you're just hanging out. You may go to two or three times but that doesn't mean anything other than you like each other's company.

Regardless, last night was the best-non date I've ever been on.