How is Dating in EASTERN vs WESTERN EUROPE Different?

I talk about the biggest differences when it comes to dating in Eastern vs Western Europe, from gender roles, to appearance, to commitment to chivalry.

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0:00 Intro
0:39 Gender roles
5:51 Appearance
8:45 Pressure to have a family
10:24 Chivalry and gift giving

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  • @julialubitsch6716 says:

    I’m Ukrainian living in Western Europe and I really miss these nice gestures like opening the door and helping with the heavy bags. I agree with Marina, this is something we are losing and it’s sad.

    • @Koshkinayekaterina says:

      It’s called being Russian

    • @chrystianaw8256 says:

      True

    • @Koshkinayekaterina says:

      You are Russian

    • @Arashenstein says:

      I grew up in the east as well and a few years ago I moved to Sweden for my new job and I am just so scared of “progressive” virus. If this is progressing I rather stay in the past.
      As a man I have zero interest in Swedish women, they don’t even act like a woman. This equality mindset is so stupid and boring. Feminism has destroyed their society, men are bunch of wimps and girls just boss the world here. Opening a door or helping a lady is an insult in their culture.

    • @tobiasphilippwittlinger8753 says:

      Maybe you should date in Ukraine then.

  • @linanafie8571 says:

    Your channel is by far one of my favourite!! I grew up in a household that was mixed between North Africa and Western Europe and I was happy to get a wider view on cultural differences and dating! If a guy pays for me at the end of the date I’m super happy and see it a huge green flag, but him not paying for me is not a red flag either as I am a very independent person and like to be able to not rely on anyone to keep myself together πŸ™‚

    • @DatingBeyondBorders says:

      Thank you!

    • @eedragonr says:

      Very well. What everyone must understand is that he is paying his part and you are paying for yours the signal is that he will not make any investment for the future or he just can’t afford to pay for two

    • @Frivals says:

      🀨in the past when men provided for females, those females were their slaves, obey to him and no divorce imaginable. The man was even allowed to kill his wife is found cheating on him. And females worked all day too, there was no washing machines etc.

      So nowadays there is zero, really zero, reasons why men should provide for females, on the contrary is stupid to provide for females with zero benefits.

  • @801create2 says:

    You’re killing it with these videos thank you so much for this cultural insight.

  • @yespls4184 says:

    I’m an American woman and I recently traveled to Serbia. I wasn’t offended in the least by the “chivalry” displayed by men there; if anything, I found it extremely sweet and sometimes flattering (even if it doesn’t mean I’m special or something, haha). I’m a very “progressive” person politically and culturally, but I didn’t feel like these gestures were necessarily “regressive”. It struck me as extremely caring. I think at first I felt a little guilty or like I was burdening them with my heavy bags, but I quickly got over that and embraced it. I found it extremely attractive and charming.

    • @michelleg7 says:

      Its hard for some men to understand that and I appreciate the help when I can get it, it takes a burden off of me and i super appreciate those who step in to help.

    • @tobiasphilippwittlinger8753 says:

      Why did you go to Serbia?

    • @VanessaPierobon-jf9cr says:

      In Serbia men still know and practice chivalry and they are not afraid to.

    • @tobiasphilippwittlinger8753 says:

      ​@@VanessaPierobon-jf9cr As a Western man, I dont like the claim that chivalry is dead in the west.
      Manners matter and if some women see this as a form of victimnizing, they should be avoided.

    • @VanessaPierobon-jf9cr says:

      @@tobiasphilippwittlinger8753 Where did I say that chivalry is dead in the West? Please learn how to read πŸ™‚ And please note that I don’t care whether you like my comment or not πŸ™‚

  • @Alchemymelany says:

    I was born in Colombia and moved to the states when I was 11. I can definitely see huge similarities between Colombian culture and eastern Europe, it’s really fascinating. I personally prefer the western Europe mindset like Netherlands where everyone is more or less equal, but at the same time I really appreciate chivalry.

    • @DatingBeyondBorders says:

      For sure! Gender roles are approached very similarly

    • @xpmedia8660 says:

      Well, in all honesty. Women have generally married up in status regardless of culture and origin.

      So from the jump we’re not equals. My wife who is Ukrainian acknowledges this.

      Now does is mean that in western Europe men aren’t chivalrous? Not at all. But when my Latin friends moved to Europe my female friends were shocked about how the men didn’t hold the door or cover the bill.

      So, if you want to be equal be prepared for equal treatment. Just my thoughts.

    • @Alchemymelany says:

      @@xpmedia8660 I said I appreciate chivalry but its not a requirement. I have been to the netherlands and I found people there fit my personality more than my own colombian culture. I still hold the door for strangers regardless of sex so I think a culture that is more equal yet kind is better in my opinion. πŸ™‚

    • @xpmedia8660 says:

      @@Alchemymelany the world of dating abroad is a strange one for me…and I’m married to an Eastern European. At the end of the day it’s a different world out there.

    • @99timewaster says:

      @@Alchemymelany chilvary is male traditional gender role. This is different to (a person of any gender) being kind to people regardless of their gender. If sounds unfair to be against traditional roles for one gender yet still being in favour of it for another imo

  • @alexandraaallaire7930 says:

    It’s true about flowers πŸ’ I’m a florist and estern Europe buy way more often.😊

  • @lyudmylashumey263 says:

    Marina, when was the last time you were in Ukraine? I was in Ukraine in 2021, the year before the Russian war. I saw a lot of stylish young men in their 20s and 30s. Barbershops are on every corner. The images from your video are old. Women have also stopped dressing in mini skirts and high heels for years! And now the war has changed a lot in society. Both men and women take responsibility for their families and their country. Almost everyone donates to the country’s defense or does voluntary work. Gender roles have changed greatly!

    • @DatingBeyondBorders says:

      Actually the videos are shot recently. But I do agree that men are now putting a lot more effort into appearance (I do say that in the video), however I still think that looks for men are less importan than how well they do financially. While women may not wear heels but appearance is huge. The amount of lip fillers getting done for ex is insane

    • @user-oj4ll2bf6k says:

      ​@@DatingBeyondBordersGive an example of changing gender roles? I have been in Ukraine all my time and have not seen and do not see any changes. And clothing itself cannot be considered a change in gender roles.

    • @eedragonr says:

      Everybody knows that the things are changing a lot during the wars. Due to the human losses many young women may remain unmarried for all their life. This will increase the competition between the women willing to have a partner and a family. In the same time as I said before the surviving men will be advantaged in finding the best partner. Indeed for a man the most important thing is the character, the values and the personality, of course the look is a big advantage. The character is less visible than the looks.

    • @marvin2678 says:

      do you think thats a good thing ?

    • @eedragonr says:

      @@marvin2678 here is the former Soviet union where the women got the right to vote in 1917 and formed military combat units in 1920. Don’t even think at the economy of Russia right now.

  • @andreask.1734 says:

    Great and well researched and explained video πŸ‘ Well done again! Greetings from Spain

  • @Sky10811 says:

    with eastern european women is very easy to understand the outcome of the date: if she strongly insists to split the bill, means she does not “see” you as a man for her. it means we are in friendship zone. if she does not even try to pay, or easily allow you to pay through this “ritual of who pays the bill negotiation” means she would be open to see you for another date again and perceive you as a man (does not mean that she clearly likes you, it simply means that she is open to explore in that direction)

    • @MetallicReg says:

      In Germany you split the bill on average.
      Some women do not like to be paid for, because they see it as an obligation for sex.

    • @Sky10811 says:

      @MetallicRegΒ  those women need to visit psychologist. There is no any obligation for sex if someone bought you a coffee or a dinner. That s incredibly outdated way of thinking

    • @greenytaddict says:

      Depending on where you are in the states, it is all over the place. Some women want to pay because they don’t want to feel obligated to have sex or owe something or want to feel equal. Or if they don’t want to see the guy again.Some women don’t want to pay depending on if it it is a first date, traditional ideology of a man pays first or want a free meal. That’s why I think it is important before going on a date to set expectations and not assume.

    • @Sky10811 says:

      @@greenytaddict i always pay if i do not want to see a man again. but if i want to see him again, i prefer not to pay, not to ruin romantics

    • @eedragonr says:

      ​@@MetallicRegyou really have cheap women

  • @Sky10811 says:

    there is one factor which influences the statistics why such a relatively low % of women/men in Russia, Ucraine are focused on equal rights for women.
    it s because in USSR women got those rights 50-70 years earlier vs it happened in Western europe, so for current generation there it s not such a hot topic as it was 100 years ago. while for western European equal rights are relatively new thing and only available like since 50 years ago

  • @gotoshinohara5249 says:

    As a western European girl in a relationship with an eastern European girl, I can’t agree more with you about the “commitment” in a relationship when you date which is very strong in eastern Europe. When I had dating experiences in my country (France) I would ask my date what are they looking for after a couple of dates. While in Hungary it was more “of course it’s for serious what are you insinuating?” Also the whole concept of bounding with someone, true love to contract something together is waaaay stronger there. Like having a couple of relationships and traveling for example or having fun is way less commun.

  • @silveryfeather208 says:

    Personally, as a Chinese-Canadian, I’ve seen traditions and i’ve seen progressiveness. That’s ok. what i hate on both sides is hypocrisy. Want gender roles? Don’t get mad when women want you to uphold your end when they do. (ie cook for you etc) Same with women. If men are paying for you, stop scoffing when he asks what you bring to the table.
    On the flip, if you call yourself a progressive women, stop asking for men to pay. If you are a man who is ‘progressive’ and think men shouldn’t pay, stop asking women to cook/clean for you.

    • @tobiasphilippwittlinger8753 says:

      Good point I see it as you, hypocrisy in any context is so annoying, however my impression is that it is a big difference in Western Europe and North America.
      In the cities and metropoles of WE most people are on the left side of the political spectrum, some, as myself, are not but clearly a minority.
      To be progressive or conservative has more to do on how someone votes rather than gender roles.
      To be an excellent cook is a highly masculine trade and something to be proud of.
      To bake on the other hand is highly feminim and absolutely adorable thus cherished by all of society.
      The costs of living in the cities force both parents into the workplace anyway, so there are no stay at home mumes.
      Family obligations are shared because they have to, unless one is a two digit millionaire.
      I consider myselve on the right side of the political spectrum not because I want to be a provider, why should I work my a** off whilst my women is taking ,,care,, of the kids.
      Translation; have a walk in the park on a sunny monday afternoon and happily smoking while doing so…heck that (!), she has to work as I do and I want to spend time with the kids as much as she does.
      I am right wing because I stand for the nation, a free market economy, a small government and because I will go to war in order to protect but also to conquer.
      I also dont shame women for a high body count, except when it is a result of low self esteem, and dont expect them to be prude with their clothes.
      I only like cheeky and sexy women but they have to be cool and should not loose their nerves if things dont go as they want to.
      I do get your point though and I agree with you, just wanted to add some stuff:)

    • @eedragonr says:

      One will do an investment if it is interested in the other for the future. On the other side the things are more clear.

    • @montypython4ever says:

      Im very happy beeing in a relationship that because she is the one that earns most of us shee Pays when we go out and I Pay otherwise, she does most of the house work because she see s Washing and cooking as her job. Thats the best of bouth worlds. When I get a job where I earn more, she of cause expects Me to Pay more. And when we have kids she wants to stay home for the first 3 years.

    • @eedragonr says:

      @@montypython4ever I think that you got it right. And she doesn’t deserve a lot of social respect and gratitude for all that?

    • @montypython4ever says:

      @@eedragonr respect from me yeah, respect from society i dont know.

  • @DavidVelasquez9 says:

    Great video, there is nothing like a perfect marriage or relationship, I learnt that in everything there is always a solution, 5 years ago I and my wife divorced because we were having some difficulties in our marriage but we are back together ,it was a really bad phase but we got through it

    • @DavidVelasquez9 says:

      its always difficult to let someone you love go, but in my case I had the help of a spiritual adviser who saved my marriage from collapsing her name is SHELLY RENEE WHITE.

    • @DavidVelasquez9 says:

      Thank you for this valuable information, i just looked her up now online. impressive.

  • @a1iqbal says:

    Wonderful video! Very well done and fully agreed with you.

  • @jeng2336 says:

    I see a lot of similarities from the Mexican culture and Eastern European. I live in Alaska where we had record-breaking snowfall. I was gone during the storms and returned to a snow mound that was my car. I started to shovel thinking it would be a 1 to 2 hour task, thank God my Mexican-American neighbor came out and jumped in right away to help. ❀

    • @DatingBeyondBorders says:

      Yes! This is why I know so many Ukrainian and Russian girls in a relationship with Mexican guys (not vice versa though)

    • @user-ep9mw9kt2u says:

      That was just a common friendly help that has nothing to do with gender roles)

    • @jeng2336 says:

      @@user-ep9mw9kt2u Not sure. There were several American guys that walked by and said a polite hello in passing but did not offer to help.

    • @lifeonearth9261 says:

      @@DatingBeyondBorders As a Mexican-American guy, I found some striking similarities in culture in Poland and Ukraine. I thought, “Finally, people who “get” it!” As for the snow mound, yeah, it’s just a cultural norm to jump in and help. Car breaks down? Guys will jump in to help you push it, etc. It’s somehow… just wrong… to ignore things like that. Haha.

    • @erika4843 says:

      @@DatingBeyondBorders AFAIK, Mexican girls are into American and Western European guys. Whereas Mexican guys are only into Eastern European girls (dunno on Asian girls). Pity that the other way around from both sides as I mentioned, doesn’t exist.

  • @AlexK-qf4dn says:

    As an eastern European guy I can say how things are going in the eastern part of Europe:
    1) No pressure to get married/have kids early or whenever
    2) No pressure to have makeup
    3) No pressure to dress fancy clothes
    4) No competition between women in Russia (actually there are more women because they live apr. 5 years longer)
    5) No pressure to pay on a date if you don’t want to
    6) Nobody brings flowers on a first date
    7) We actually have mutual expenses when we are in relationship
    8) Almost all wives are working and making contribution to family income
    9) Men’s appearance is actually important
    10) Men are actually make cleaning, wash dishes and men are cooking
    11) No pressure to be able to repair everything
    12) Men don’t want a housewife
    13) Women don’t want to be a housewife
    14) People are looking for an equal partner and a soulmate

    • @eedragonr says:

      And Canada is trying to recruit immigrants from Eastern Europe, from Ukraine and Russia till the Balkans. And these are the big city “work of art”. I don’t know if they are even interested in relationship or marriage.

    • @DatingBeyondBorders says:

      Where are you located? You may be speaking from your own city point of view (for ex. Moscow doesn’t represent Russia well).

      Secondly, I may be wrong but you may not have a real point of comparison. Having you say – no pressure to pay/no competition between women makes me think just that.

      Have you traveled abroad extensively? Specifically to Western/Northern Europe? If so I am sure you will find these things are more true than you think. It feels to me you are comparing the Russia of now to Russia of 60-80s and if so, you are right.

    • @AlexK-qf4dn says:

      @@DatingBeyondBorders I’ve visited almost all Europe, have lived in Poland for more than 6 years, but plan to relocate thoughπŸ˜ƒDefinitely this is my subjective opinion, saying from my friends’ and my point of view. Originally I am from Minsk (Belarus). Btw I’ve never been married and I am 37 years old πŸ˜€

    • @marvin2678 says:

      which countries are you talking about ?

    • @eedragonr says:

      ​@@marvin2678look at the mail bride order to see about who is he not talking. I believe about the industrial big cities of the former communist block and Soviet union.

  • @whitneyc.3257 says:

    I’m colombian and I lived in the US for some time with a woman from Ukraine. We were shocked about the similarities in terms of dating in our countries even though they were so far away from each other. I used not to care about chivalry until I received my first bouquet of flowers and was treated with chivalry. It’s a beautiful feeling and it makes me feel loved and cared for. I recommend it 😁πŸ₯°

  • @markrcca5329 says:

    regarding restaurants. My wife is Russian, and I’m from Eastern Europe. We live in the U.S. One of my wife’s friends is also Russian, and she earns a very decent amount of money. She can easily afford going to mid-priced restaurants with her friends, and pay for it herself. But in dating, she always looks for men who will take her to the most expensive restaurants where she normally would not afford to go. She says, “what’s the point of a man if he takes me to the same restaurants I could go to myself”? I find this very annoying. Honestly, if the only point of a man is to pay for restaurant meals, then she should probably leave men alone! I would certainly not want to do anything with a woman like that. Thankfully my own wife is not like that..

    • @MichelaRossini says:

      Western European women would certainly appreciate Eastern European men for what they are and not for what they offer, since modern western men are not romantic at all. So open a door for us and we are already half in love.

    • @markrcca5329 says:

      @@MichelaRossini I live in the U.S., and women here have a serious problem if their husbands decide to go out with their guy-friends and leave their wives at home with the children – unless it’s a special occasion. In Russian and Eastern-European culture, this is perfectly normal and no special occasion is expected. I don’t know how it is in Western Europe, since I never lived there.

    • @MichelaRossini says:

      @@markrcca5329 leaving wives alone with kids often is abusive, especially if it happens frequently and is not reciprocicated. I have a Russian female friend who complains about her non Russian husband doing the same. Women are women everywhere.

    • @XanderNN says:

      The part about “what’s the point of a man if I could do it myself” is very much spot on, I hear similar stuff from Russian women all the time. I think it’s pretty appaling, as such women don’t even try to hide that they view men only as a source of material benefits.

    • @markrcca5329 says:

      @@XanderNN people seem to forget that relationships are about companionship. Material benefits have their place but should be secondary. If the relationship is mostly about the material benefits – it’s not much of a relationship..

  • @TAsayeshiii says:

    Very fascinating facts. I loved itπŸ’™πŸ’™πŸ’™πŸ’™

  • @luthienelvenprincess says:

    I’m Italian, my boyfriend is Ukrainian. I date to marry and I’ve noticed that in my country almost
    and I’ve noticed that about half of the youth in my country take part in the “hookup culture” or date a lot of people in order to get “experience”.
    He only had a long relationship before me and he’s very marriage and family oriented.
    He’s quite protective of me. He always holds my hand when we walk together, tells me very often that he’ll make sure I’m safe and that he won’t let anyone hurt me, and he likes to give me presents even if I’ve told him I don’t need them. We’ll be moving in together before the end of the year if everything goes as planned, so fingers crossed!

    • @MichelaRossini says:

      Hey, I am also an Italian woman married with an Ukrainian man, we have been together for 10 years now and we have 2 kids. Wanna chat? Imo Ukr men are the best, probably also other slavic men are great. The other Europeans are handsome bur are lost.

    • @dmp1520 says:

      lost how?@@MichelaRossini

    • @MichelaRossini says:

      @@dmp1520 I have the impression that Ukrainian men still stick to traditional idea of manliness and still protect and provide while being also gallant (open doors, pass coat, hand kiss). Mine, at least, is so. Western men are more uncertain about their role.

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