< SWITCH ME >
| One Date in... |
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| Written by Christopher Wratil | ||||||||||||
We know the ENGLISH MIDLANDS from fairy tales. Everybody has heard of the castles, the churches, towns like Cambridge and Oxford or Stratford. World literature since Shakespeare stems from the flat area in the middle of Britain. Where romances like Romeo & Juliet were created, what can E&M readers expect from their romantic dates? We spoke with two Europeans in the English Midlands, Ingvild from Norway and Srdjan from Serbia. E&M: Isn't it totally boring to date in the English Midlands, since there are no exciting cities here like Berlin, London or Budapest? Srdjan: It is all about who you're dating and not about the facilities involved - which we might lack a little bit, that's true. And it is quite claustrophobic here. If you date somebody, all your friends will know. It is quite often difficult, especially if you want to date more than one person. Ingvild: For us at the universities, the problem is that we live in a bubble, we seldom get out of our campus circles. So, it might get boring after a time. E&M: It is true that the person is more important than the place, but could you still recommend some special places for a first date in the Midlands?
Srdjan: Mostly restaurants, cheap Indian curry restaurants, for example. Ingvild: Or Chinese. Srdjan: Yes, and if it's really special, then a date in a nice Italian restaurant, preferably not a chain. E&M: So, then a restaurant would be the best place. Why? Srdjan: Well, if the date is bad there's always good food! And also because food brings people together, at least in my eyes. Ingvild: You could also go on an excursion. The ultimate English thing is to date in a castle or one of the small romantic towns. E&M: Excursion? For the first date?! I mean, you don't know the person very well yet. Ingvild: Well, ok, you might be right - but if you are risk-loving you can push it that fast. Srdjan: If you do want to do it, then Warwick town, for example, is very beautiful. Ingvild: Stratford's a bit of a trek from Birmingham or Coventry. If you don't know each other well, then it could get hard to keep up the conversation for an hour's bus ride. Srdjan: Stratford can be nice if you want to impress a girl or boy by going to see a play and showing off your knowledge of Shakespeare and your love for his plays. Oxford is also a good choice. E&M: Is there a certain kind of person you can date? Srdjan: Well, I'm dating a gorgeous Brazilian girl, and I could have dated a gorgeous Norwegian girl. Ingvild: At the universities, there's a clear gap between the British students and those from the rest of Europe or Asia and America. International students tend to stay with international students. E&M: Is outward appearance, for example, quite important here for getting a date? Srdjan: Yes! But, if you continue dating then other things like same preferences become crucial, just like anywhere else. It's also much easier if you have the same circle of friends as your date.
E&M: Anything I have to remember? I mean, are there special rules during my first date? Ingvild: Never forget to be a gentleman. That's what I noticed compared to Norway, where no boy ever helps you with your jacket. Srdjan: Yes, be polite before you get the other one drunk. And: seize the day! England is straightforward, show that you are interested, do it explicitly! That's what's really different from my home country Serbia. E&M: I've heard that on dates with English people, sex is always supposed to be included. Is this true? Srdjan: No, no, that is a gross generalisation. But, if it's drunken English students then .... yes. At least, the probability increases. Ingvild: I guess it is like everywhere and not particularly English. They just have a very peculiar way of showing interest in each other. E&M: Just in case I'm not interested, how can I avoid sex on a date with an English student? Ingvild: By getting so drunk that..... Srdjan: No, no because then you are more likely to have sex. I wouldn't mind being in a position to be able to turn down sex! Ingvild: Well, English students talk quite openly about sex. Srdjan: Yes, and the most important thing for a foreigner is to understand what "pulling" means, because everybody will always be "pulling" somebody. E&M: What does "pulling" mean? Srdjan: In most cases it does just mean "kissing," so don't be too shocked that everybody "pulls"!
E&M: Are there special ways of signaling sexual interest? Ingvild: Some of the rugby guys have adopted crude songs which they sing whenever they see a nice girl. E&M: What kind of crude songs? Ingvild: "Wohhu" and a lot of shouting. Let me stress that English people in general shout a lot. I always feel quite uncomfortable about their shouting. E&M: In conclusion, is there anything else that I can expect from a date in the English Midlands? Srdjan: Good tea! E&M: Thanks for the interview |
