The Local's A-Z of Italian dating
So your thinking of dating an Italian? Don't be scared, you're gonna LOVE it. The Local's foolproof A-Z guide to Italian dating, will help you get the most out your new Italian love affair.
Aperitivo
Let's begin at the beginning. Informal Italian aperitvo is a great place to meet your new love interest for a first date, without breaking the bank.
Be Peristant
Fella's take note. You need to conquer an Italian woman – if you sit on you're hands too long, you will regret it.
Cooking
Italians are frequently excellent cooks, so expect to be cooked for at some point. The negative side of this is that, while you may also be an excellent cook you may just get shoved out of the kitchen by your prospective partner.
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Punctuality is obviously appreciated, but it's perfectly normal for Italians to turn up 10 – 15 minuites late for a date, if it happens – keep your cool.
Fidanzato/a
This one is a biggie. Fidanzato literally means “betrothed” and so when your Italian boyfriend or girlfriend starts refering to you as their Findanzato/a it's a sign things are getting serious.
Be warned - the turning point is normally when you go to dinner at their parents house.
Gender roles
Generally speaking, there is a more defined division of gender roles in Italy which could cause problems for the first-time Italian dater.
Men might find it baffling that their Italian girlfriend demands he “look after” her. Whereas some women will view their Italian boyfriend's desire to 'protect his woman' a little chauvinistic.
High Maintenance
Let's just say that it's no coincidence that the word 'diva' is an Italian loan word. Men need to be prepared to give as good as they get!
Intimacy
Generally speaking Italians are much more touchy feely which cause a headache when it comes to reading the signs.
Just because your cute Italian friend hugs you and combs your hair doesn't necissarily mean there is a romantic interest from their part. You might just be in the dreaded friend