Looking for love is exciting. It gives off an extraordinary kind of rush, making all the troubles and preparations all worth it. But that’s just it: you need a whole lot of practice to be more confident and ready for love.
Without a doubt, trying to look for love in South Africa as a foreigner without prior studying (and research!) is like crossing the street on a “Go” traffic signal—it’s utterly stupid.
If you’re a foreigner searching for your future better half in South Africa, you’ve come to the right platform. We talked about South Africa’s dating cultures you should know of and listed the dating tips to lock in your way through your ideal South African single. Good luck!
What Dating in South Africa Looks and Feels Like
Studying South Africa’s dating rules and societal norms can help you build smooth relationships with a local. You can then learn and adapt based on the characteristics of the person you’re with and the nuances of their culture. If you’re ready, let’s get into South Africa’s culture and dating customs.
Diversity
South Africa is a diverse and multicultural country, and for that reason, it’s called the Rainbow Nation.
The colonial past of South Africa is rich, and many people of distinct races from many areas of the world swarm in the country. Dutch settlers called the Afrikaans, and English-speaking locals through the British colonizers in the 1800s, run aplenty in South Africa. It also has 11 officially recognized local languages and various tribes across the country.
Gender Roles
Although South Africa is an urban country, its society is still largely patriarchal. They have long-standing, carefully ingrained gender roles that society expects men and women to live up to.
Like several other patriarchal expectations from traditional countries, men are the primary providers for many South African households. They take care and protect the women in their lives, even when they have their jobs or don’t need protection.
The South African traditionalist dating scene also expects men to make the first move and ask the woman out. They also need to foot the dinner and do gallant things like holding the door or pulling the woman’s chair.
South African elders and traditionalists still believe that men are superior to women—it’s prominent in many societal spheres. It may take some time to find common ground with a South African single if you have a more liberal mindset about gender.
Nevertheless, if you’re the type to fall in love with gentlemanly acts, South African men won’t disappoint you. Chivalry is well and alive in the country.
Personality Traits
Despite South Africa’s traditionalist mindset, women in the country are strong-willed and particular about their inclinations. Although they are known for their feistiness, they also have warm hearts that make them worthy of your efforts.
If they like you, they’ll surely take care of you and your needs. They’ll cook food for you or clean your home, reflecting how the elders raised them.
However, the downside to all these is that they may also be submissive as partners. They may want to make all the decisions concerning the relationship or lean on you for emotional help all the time. If you’re uncomfortable with this, it’s vital to communicate with your partner about it; make them understand your side.
On the other hand, men in South Africa are charming and live up to the task of being there for their women. But, be ready to share their attention with their favourite football team.
Football is a national sport of some sort in South Africa, and the men follow it religiously. The upside to this is that they may also value fitness and exercise. You may be lucky to snag a South African dreamboat with a tanned, toned body and ripped abs.
Dating Norms
About 79.8% of the South African population identify themselves as Christians. Thus, their religion preaches against pre-marital sex.
While some South African singles today have a more liberal mindset on dating and sex, many locals still find the latter a serious business. You may meet someone in the country who wants to have a long-lasting relationship before rolling in the hay.
Nonetheless, courtship varies significantly between different ethnic groups and beliefs in the country. That said, if you meet the man of your dreams in South Africa, he might seek your family’s approval before proposing to you. Others would even ask permission before trying to date you!
We are programmed to look for love. Despite the high stakes of the South African dating world, we still look for our soulmates anyway.
Love should not be hard to find in a country as large and as diverse as South Africa. At least, one would think that’s the case since people of mixed races swarm in it. It turns out to be the complete opposite, and this means a lot more studying and research is needed.
If you’ve mastered your way through South Africa’s dating scene and managed to find your ideal person in the country, congrats! Enjoy their company and treasure it well.
