Love in Canada

Our neighbors to the north have very similar outlooks on love and relationships.  In Canada the traditions vary by communities and traditional customs often come from the native home country of where the couple is from.  Local customs and traditions in Canada were brought to the country by the millions of immigrants that were part of the native culture when these people arrived.

Canada is culturally diverse, like in United States. People from all over the world came to settle in Canada to it develop and grow in a new culture.  Today the different culture that were brought over and still kept alive and the people are encouraged to retain their cultural identities, traditions, languages and customs.

Canadians in general, are open-minded, respectful and extremely community-oriented people. Although each and every person has their own individualistic traits, their basic cultural traits remain the same.  Canadians place a great deal of emphasis on the individual's responsibility to the community and where they are from. This importance of community is seen as giving balance to a good quality of life.

Most Canadians have a strong allegiance to their province or region, sometimes more so than to the country. There are some broad differences between regions that are very visible when it comes to love and the way relationships work.  Some provinces are considered to be very old-fashioned, some friendly and relaxed and some are even viewed to be futuristic. 

Love in Canada is very similar to the United States, although you are able to recognize little traits of the French.  There are certain things that one must do in certain situations, her are a few: 

• If invited to someone's home for dinner, take a box of good chocolates, flowers or a bottle of wine.
• In Quebec, sending flowers in advance of the dinner party is proper protocol.
• In Quebec, if you give wine, make sure it is of the highest quality you can afford.
• Do not give white lilies to ones you love, as they are used at funerals.
• Gifts are usually opened immediately when received.
• The most common greeting is the handshake.
• Wait until invited before using someone's first name in conversation
• French Canadian friends and couples may greet each other by lightly kissing on the cheeks (once on the left cheek and once on the right).

The traditions in Canada are very similar to the United States with slight variations from region the region.  The way of life and finding love is quickly changing and becoming more individualized.  Find love is like wishing on a star, or in the case of Canada, like playing hockey; sometimes you have the puck and sometimes you don’t.

Love in Panama

Love in the little Central American country of Panama has a variety of cultural influences that can be credited to their central location and influences by various countries.  I like to think of Panama as the “hybrid of love.”  With all the different influences on Panama’s unique culture of love, you can’t go wrong finding that special someone here.

Panama consists of six different native Indian cultures and each of them has their own different practices and traditions, but are very similar also.  Every province and different culture of Panama, each take great pride in their own distinctive dances, music and cuisine. 

Everywhere you go the rich dancing and culture engulf your spirit and takes you to a different culture within the one country.  When finding love in Panama dancing has a great deal of influence on relationships.  If you and your partner can dance well together, it is seen as your relationship will be successful and fruitful.

Like in Mexico, calling each other pet names and using little phrases like “mi amor,” “mi reinita,” and “mi corazon” are used in daily conversations between couples.  The little “sweet nothings” mean a lot in the dating world of Panama.

In Panama there is a lot emphasis put on greeting’s and welcome’s where ever you go.  Etiquette is very important.  Displaying that you are a well rounded person will help you not only in the long run but will help you be seen as someone that has a good family life.  Family relationships are extremely strong in Latin cultures including Panama.

The appearance of Panamanians is considered to be relaxed, easy going and live an informal lifestyle.  Although the appearance is relaxed, it is tradition that women always dress to impress when leaving the house.  

Women are treated very well by their significant other where ever they go.  Panamanian women are seen as delicate, and rarely do you see a women shake hands with someone, instead they lightly brush cheeks when greeting others. 

Panamanian relationships tend to get very serious very fast.  Men often express their intentions of marriage very early on in the relationship to make sure that the women knows what she is getting into.

Panama’s culture puts emphasis on the personal relationship with one person and typically don’t take time to build any other personal relationships with anyone else after you have settled down with your love.  Many other cultures may see this as being “snobby,” but to the traditions in Panama, it is simply just another tradition.

Because of all the influences on the culture of Panama, finding love can be an elevating exprenece.  In just one country, you may experience many different cultures and be able to fall in love in a way you would have never expected.   

Love in France

Bonjour,

The language of love is easily translated into the beautiful people that live in France.  It is easy to fall in love with France, both with the country, the way of life and the people.  Love in France is nothing less than expected, or the unexpected.  Love and relationships have changed drastically though out the years but are still as romantic as in the beginning.

During the medieval and renaissance periods, the bride’s wedding dress was created from an average dress and embellished with jewelry, embroidery, laces, and small ribbons, and beading.  Up until the 19^th century brides wore just about every color of dress for the ceremony, including black.  The color the bride decided to wear sometimes symbolized a past relationship or if the bride was widowed.  Typically the bride wore a blue dress to represent purity and it was later that a white wedding dress’s took the place of the blue gowns.

On the day of the wedding, it is French tradition that the groom meets his bride at her house in the morning of their wedding and escorts her to the wedding chapel.  At the chapel, their families are waiting with flowers and ribbons in celebration.  It is also common that the village children block the couple’s way with ribbons which the bride must cut to symbolize the obstacles they will overcome in their new life together.

After the ceremony rice or wheat, a symbol of prosperity and fertility, is showered over the couple as the walk out.  As the bridal couple leaves the chapel they walk through a flower arch or over leaves scattered in their path outside.

In today’s society French men are quite a bit different.  They are usually very straight forward.  If he's smiles at you and says that he likes you, then that's what it is. Love is not taboo in France today.  French people have very "tight" social groups, if you are friends go out together you will have more of a chance of dating each other.   

Although the French are formal, most initial dates start out quite informal.  In France couples love to walk around the city and sit at cafes and just simply chat.  An ideal first date in France would be very simple yet intimate.   

After getting to know someone for a period of time marriage becomes part of the equation.  Recently more and more couples choose not marry and other options of unions are beginning to surface.  The religious ceremonies no longer have the legal value that they once did.  Couples flock to city hall to be legally married in a less than spectacular wedding.  The couple receives a “Livret de famille.”  This is a common occurrence that is kept though out the marriage and entails the woman’s change of last name and information on the birth and death of their children.

Another form of marriage that is becoming popular are "PACS" (Pacte Civil de Solidarité).  PAC’s are contracts between two people (men and/or women) that has legal effects of marriage.  Within the PAC there is a common understanding on; common property, tax effects, social protection, but can be terminated like any other contract.

Love in France may have changed drastically over the decades, but the passion of falling in love under the cities lights is still nothing less than romantic.

Je t'aime

Love in Brazil

Olá, 

The hot temperature is not the only thing sizzling in Brazil; the intimacy and love burns deep within the steamy rich culture. 

Men in Brazil are master minds of love and affection.  Men take pride in initiating the affection and take control of the relationship quickly with a lucky lady.

In Brazil holding hands is a way of announcing that you are in a relationship.  If you do not hold hands when you are a “couple,” it is looked at as if you are hiding the relationship or that you are ashamed of the other person.  Holding hands in public shows that you are exclusive and that you are in a serious relationship.  This gesture stays strong even after a couple gets married.  10 fingers can be worth more than a thousand words in Brazil.

Brazilian couples and marriages are very loyal and strict.  Guys feel more confident about a woman's reputation and her potential for loyalty to him in a serious relationship when the woman does not go to bed on one of the first dates, and is more "traditional.”

Brazilian men and women tend to be much more “territorial” when it comes to relationships.  Couples are more appt to be exclusive all the time without talking to others of the opposite sex in public.  When couples become serious they spend every moment together making sure of the love for each other. 

By the time an engagement happens in Brazil, both families already know each other quite well.  Engagements often are quickly short before marriage.  Each person has been "adopted" by the other's family, the girl becomes best friends with her fiancé’s mom and the man “hangs out” with her dad on a regular basis.

Before a couple gets married they exclusively date anywhere from 3 to 10 years, and must be accepted by the other family.

Love in Brazil is very traditional compared to the United States.  Brazilians are aware and loyal to their own morals and to look for the people that share those morals.  Both Brazil and the United States are big enough and the people are diverse enough to accommodate you and your specific traditions within your family.

 Love in Brazil stresses to be happy with who you are and then find someone that compliments and completes you.  The affection you get from the person you love never ceases in Brazil.

abraços e beijos

Love in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has more than 80 different ethnic groups with different customs and traditions.  Even though there is such a variety traditions, many of the ethnic groups share similar views and values on the topic of love and marriage.

 Ethiopian men and women have very defined roles in society. Traditionally men are responsible for providing for the family and for dealing with family contact outside the house.  Men typically do not cook or shop for household goods because “housework” is viewed as a woman's job.  Women are responsible for domestic work and looking after the children.  Parents are stricter with their daughters and often give more freedom to sons.  This traditional view continues to be held in many areas of the country.

Marriages are often arranged by the parents and take a great deal of negation to make a commitment between the parents.  The boy's parents make contact with the perspective bride's parents through a mediator. The mediator goes to the home of the potential bride and asks if their daughter will marry the son of the other parents. The bride's parents often require conditions and trades; the mediator then takes the message to the groom’s parents, and then arranges a date for both parents to meet at a mutually convenient location. 

The parents then take a great deal of time to investigate up to five or seven generations back between the two families to make sure there is not blood relation because incest in forbidden. 

In many Ethiopian cultures Christian traditions are highly valued, so the bride must be a virgin when the marriage takes place. 

 When the parents have reached an agreement that the son and daughter will wed, they then set a wedding date.  The bride and groom first see each other on their wedding day. Both parents prepare food and drink for the wedding and invite guests.

 The marriage ceremony itself is a huge feast for many guests.  Dancing, music and gifts are all involved in the celebration that takes place at the groom’s house.  The bride’s family gives a dowry to the groom that is typically cases of money or cattle. 

 In rural Ethiopia match making and arranged marriages is still practiced.  The practice of match making and arranged marriages are common across ethnic and religious backgrounds with only small differences.

Many men and women who live in urban areas do not follow this tradition and do not have arranged marriages but it is important to marry someone the family approves of.

 Although many people continue to follow these traditional values, life is constantly evolving including the role of men and women.  

Love in Ethiopia continues to change and evolve, but is never lost.

Love in Iran

سلام,

 Traditionally in Iran people of different sexes are not allowed to be together freely in public.  Women have many restrictions about the dress code in public and around men.  Women have to conceal their faces because they are not allowed to “attract mates.”  Some of the rules about dating and relationships are implicated by the government.

Authorities push a very conservative approach to relationships and look down upon unmarried romantic relationships and encourage traditional match-making, arranged marriages.  Because of the strong traditions wove into the Iranian culture young people believe that if they reject the traditions with short-term relationships, they harm their dignity and those of their family. 

Prospective couples have three different meetings before a relationship can be formed.  The first two meetings are strictly supervised from within the same room where the couple is.  The third and last meeting is a brief get-together that is on the couples own time with just the two of them.  After these series of meetings the couple can either choose to marry each other, or agree to never see each other again.  These meetings are still used today among rural and traditional Iranians to find a partner.  The tradition of the three meetings has recently been showing up in some modern films by Leila Lak, an Iranian filmmaker.

The Iranian government condemns dating and relationships, but it promotes marriage that is accompanied with online courses and courtship classes.   During the classes the couple earns a diploma after taking weekly tests and spending hours educating themselves on the “correct courtship.”  The people of Iran really respect tradition and authority so they tend to keep the customs of the country. 

Today in Iran, there is a large population of young adults under the age of 30.  Many of them are looking towards modern forms of love, but still keep a lot of the traditions just modify it to fit the times.  Marriage is taken very seriously and couples often stay together their whole lives.  Marriages have a level of respect and responsibility that is portrayed throughout their long loving relationship.

عشق

Bonjou!  This week we will be looking at damou, love, in the developing country of Haiti and how relationships and love are viewed there now and in the past.  The culture in Haiti is very traditional compared to those of the United States.

 A visitor to the household never leaves the house empty handed or without a cup of coffee.  Hospitality is very important to keep up a good appearance amongst the community.

The people of Haiti feel very strongly about greeting each other properly, particularly in rural areas.  Often before people even begin a conversation, they say hello several times then engage in further conversation.  Men Shake hands with other men, men and women typically kiss on the cheek and women kiss other women on the cheek also to display friendship. 

Women and men commonly hold hands in public as a display of friendship with the same sex.  Very seldom to men and women in relationships show public affection toward each other, but show affection in private with each other.

Before a relationship begins, young women do not smoke or drink alcohol of any kind, with the exception of festive occasions with family members.  Men typically smoke and drink more often and especially at festivities in the community.  And continue to throughout the relationship. 

 Marriage is expected among the elite and middle classes in Haiti.  Because of the high cost of formal marriage ceremonies, couples regularly live together as man and wife until they are financially able to make their marriage official in either a Christian religious ceremony or in a court of jurisdiction.

In a marriage, the couple works together to become successful as one working body.  Each of the individuals in the relationship takes on different roles that complement each other and that work towards a common goal of success economically and socially. 

Although formal monogamous marital relationships are the norm, in rural Haiti, polygamy is still practiced.  The first wife is the only one that is recognized by government as the legitimate wife and the others are regarded as the man’s mistresses. 

Haitian love and relationships are still much different than countries like the United States but have the respect that is often lacking.  Find that special someone in Haiti may be difficult with the traditions, but definitely not impossible.

"m'swete'w tout bon bagay"

Love in Mexico

Hola, By no means is chivalry dead in Mexico; maybe men in the United States should take some notes on traditional love in Mexico as Valentine’s Day quickly approaches. 

In Mexico many different traditions guide in dating and relationships.  Younger people in large cities are much more influenced by surrounding countries like the United States, and people in more rural areas often hold traditions of Catholic values and customs of the traditional Mexican Families closer. 

Traditionally a relationship starts with the man pursuing a woman they are interested in.  The man asks for the first date and typically plans the date. 

 Dating traditions called “piropeo” and “la serenata” are common in Mexico and other Spanish speaking countries.  “Piropeo” are flirty comments made to women showing affections and interest like “mi amor,” my love, and “guapa,” beautiful or lovely.  “La serenata” is a tradition where a man shows up at his love’s home with a mariachi or guitarist to serenade or sing to his interest.  The man continues to sing until his love interest comes out to meet him.  A woman traditionally lives with her parents until she is married, so if the family does not like the man outside singing, they may toss water on to him to make him go away.  Needless to say, he gets the message pretty quickly. 

Men in Mexico are expected to be romantic and well-mannered around women and other people.  When a man is dating a woman it is customary to present her with flowers, chocolates, stuffed animals, and other tokens of appreciation as part of his affection.  On a date men traditionally pay for the entire meal and entertainment. 

Couples usually marry after a period of formal engagement that can last several years.  A marriage ceremony is often very religious and then after the traditional ceremony, the couple holds a huge and costly party with friends and family celebrating the love between the two people.

 According to everyculture.com, in 1995, the average age for marriage was 24 for men and 22 for women.  Although in Mexico marriage is all about love and romantics, many Mexicans unconsciously look for a partner who can provide social and economic security. 

Mexicans typically prefer modesty and put a great deal of value on appearance of their partner.  A good looking partner is greatly valued and a well-dressed partner is appreciated.

Mexicans tend to be very romantic and come off as very sentimental compared to Americans.  Mexican men are truly lovers and take extremely good care of their partners throughout the dating process and throughout marriage. 

After finding out how much love and passion is apparent in relationships in Mexico, I am definitely thinking about a possible relocation.

“Lost inside your love, When the two of us are one, There's no place I'd rather be, oh no,

disappearing in your love, Wilder than my wildest dreams”

Lost Inside Your Love by Enrique Iglesias

Love in India

नमस्ते, With the new infatuation with Bollywood and India, some may wonder, what is love like in India?  Like love in China, Indian love and dating is much different than in the United States.  Love and dating in India is changing due to the shift in societal views, but in no means is losing its age old traditions.

Traditional Indian dating is heavily influenced by the customs of traditional arranged marriages that require little dating if any.  Majority of Indian marriages are arranged by parents, about 9 out of 10 marriages in India are arranged.  Couples are chosen from the same caste, religion, and economic status.  Marriages are similar to business transactions involving two “deal-making” families, trying to wed their children.

Often before the wedding, the woman is only allowed to go out with probable husband if they agree to be married happily forever.  And also, sometimes the bride and groom don’t even meet until the wedding.

Arranged marriages in India are on the decline in recent years, but are still unlikely to disappear anytime soon.  “Love marriages” are becoming more accepted as India becomes more intertwined with the rest of the changing world.  “Love marriages” are couples that meet each other and follow the typical dating and relationship growth that is similar to those in countries like the United States. Dating Websites are also beginning to gain interest of the singles in India. 

Often Indians that move abroad to other countries with different tradition will reform and follow the cultural patterns of their new country.  In the United States, India-Americans sometimes participate in Indian Singles meetings organized by various dating websites which happen about once a month, with about 100 participants at each event.  There are no firm statistics about the success rate leading into long term relationships, but is estimated about one in every ten members finds a partner through the site or meetings.

In the movie Slumdog Millionaire, we are able to have an insight into traditional love in India.

In India some predominate religions are completely against the idea of dating.  The radical Hindu group Sri Ram Sena, is very opposed to dating and believe that marriage between a man and a woman should be organized by the parents of either single person. The practice of dating before a marriage is against their religious tradition. 

Although love in countries over the world are extremely different from one another, finding your perfect match in never impossible.  The love that humans are capable of is overwhelming and will undertake anything in its path.  Love is waking up in the morning and thinking about that someone special.

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  -Corinthians 

 प्यार

Information found at

http://english.emory.edu/Bahri/Arr.html

http://www.indiamarks.com/guide/The-Culture-of-Arranged-Marriages-in-India/961/

Love in China

Ni Hao!  Around the world, love is one of the most basic emotions that can be commonly identified by people from all different ethnic backgrounds.

The classic Chinese view on love and relationships varies immensely from those in the United States.  The romantic relationships that the Chinese have contain much more commitment and hold a lot of weight on them, as dating is looked at as a step before marriage.  Chinese romantic culture often reflects the views on love from years ago. 

Traditionally, families would arrange the marriage for their daughter.  The classic way is to pick well suited husband would be a wealthy man, who would bring up the families social class and economic benefit or wealth; their daughter’s preferences would often be overlooked.  Who the family picked would have to acceptable to society and “look good” to be accepted by the community. 

In the Disney movie Mulan, we are able to see how family is the most important thing in the Chinese culture.  Family plays a huge role on who you are and who you choose to be with.

Romance and passion were viewed as unrealistic expressions, and the couple was more committed to accommodating their partner’s needs.  Chinese women expected to be taken care of by their partner very attentively and tenderly. 

In China’s changing, more modernize culture today views on relationships have changed significantly.  In the dating scene in China, instead of going out, having a few drinks and dancing as we would in the United States, sometimes couples in China study together.

The Chinese are more rational when it comes to love.  When looking for a relationship personal preference is taken into consideration along with public and family expectations.

Compared to the large divorce rate in the United States, China’s divorce rate is only about 16% of what the United States is. 

Chinese women are much more independent and want a man only after she herself has succeeded.  A partner must be doing at least as well as the other, has to be compatible, and both morally and spiritually alike. 

Each year in China on November 11^th an unofficial holiday know as China’s singles day occurs.  Singles are encourages to go out and mingle to find a partner.

Romance and love can be more difficult to find in a stricter more critical society, and women in China are encouraged to find a partner primarily on financial considerations instead of romantic ones.  As in any country love will always be difficult to find, but never impossible.

Information found at-

http://www.cultural-china.com/

http://chineseculture.about.com/

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/

Love in the United States

According to Dictionary.com love is defined as, a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.  Love can defined in many ways to different people and allowing one definition to spell out what it means to you is restricting the natural animalistic instinct of human beings. 

In the United States, love is viewed entirely different than any other country.  In the United States societies high standards on women affects the way Americans view love, or lust.  Women work hard to achieve the idealistic “perfect woman” body and attitude.  Stressing everyday to look the part in case “the one” is ran into.  Hours in front of the mirror putting on a “pretty girl disguise” to fit the norm of society, training at the gym trying to get that supermodel body, has made dating and love a superficial “job.”

In the United States finding love and not just lust can be very discouraging.  The American society has made it acceptable to juggle numerous “potential partners” making dating an exhausting experience.  The romance of meeting someone special and dating has been lost. 

Movies and music have enforced this idea that about having multiple partners is the “cool” thing to do and that it is acceptable.  Teenagers and young adults tend to steer away from formal dating and traditional relationships and go for casual no-strings relationships with one other.  With the acceptance of these “hookups,” many teens and young adults carry this idea into the rest of their lives.

According to the 2000 Census, for the first time in history, American singles outnumber married couples with children.  Single people now account for more than 40 percent of the population.  And single women outnumber single men by 1.3 to 1.

Although love is often confused with lust, there is still hope for love in the United States.  Finding someone special that loves you for who you are even when you don’t have pounds of make-up on, a tight little black dress, and 6 inch heels, is someone to hang on to.  Letting yourself fall for someone and forgetting about what society tells you love is, can be the difference between a “hookup” and a partner for life.   Keeping standards and not caving into the materialist society, love is always achievable to those who are willing try.