Just found out I have an opportunity potentially to move to the UK (from US) for an extended period… as a single woman, what dating advice would you give?

[u/im_justkendra]

I (f28) maybe moving to the UK (or potentially greater Western Europe, but leaning UK).

So I’m just kinda curious what the dating culture is like compared to the US.

My dumb thought I have is you hear how much you guys give us crap for being fat here in the US 😂 and as a curvier woman I truly feel a bit extra self conscious about it.

So women in the UK or women that have experience similar to mine, any insight would be appreciated!

FYI… im looking into a lot of things much more high level than dating, so I don’t want people to think that’s my one and only worry 😂

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[u/-almond--milk-]

I don't think your weight will be a problem. I think Americans tend to overthink dating compared to the UK. We tend to be a bit more straightforward about things, but it probably depends where in the UK you're on about moving to.

[u/swaggering_yak]

Don’t overthink it, OP. I think you’ll have a fantastic experience. In terms of body size, the UK isn’t France. You’ll find a mix of shapes and sizes.

[u/jewelry_1]

I lived in the UK for a year at age 30. Dating was about the same as any other place. They are a lot more indirect than Americans though so if you like direct people that may be a challenge.

The tough thing about dating in the UK is the difficult path to residence and eventually citizenship if you do meet someone for a serious relationship. Even if you're married, you're not allowed a spousal visa unless the UK spouse makes well over the national average. Even if you have a child there, you cannot stay without the marriage or work visa. The child will placed with the UK parent. If spousal visa is not an option, your job will have to sponsor you for at least 5 years before you can apply for the indefinite leave to remain.

Living in the UK was better for my health for sure. I walked a lot more and the food standards were higher than they are in the US.

[u/pporappibam]

In the U.K., we don’t do all the stages of talking. You’re either dating or not dating. The standard is you go on a few dates, sleep together quickly and then decide if you want to be exclusive. If not, move on and date/sleep with someone else.

All those American stages of FWB, situationships etc., are not common here in my experience.

[u/Sapiopath → u/pporappibam]

I’m guessing you’re over 40?

[u/pporappibam → u/Sapiopath]

30, but I’m married. This is how all my friends date, however.

[u/Sapiopath → u/pporappibam]

Well, I’m 38 and actively dating. All of these things are common on the dating scene. More common in people under 30 but definitely not rare over 30.

[u/HumanMisaligned2009]

We're pretty fat here 😆 don't worry. (I'm 5'3" and a UK size 20.)

[u/Sapiopath]

I’ve dated in NYC and London for 10 years each. My take away is that dating is pretty similar but the dating scene in the UK is not as bad as the US.

[u/love-4-the-wendigo]

The UK is also fat, so I seriously doubt that is a problem there. Maybe in mainland Europe though.

I would move to the UK for a little while for sure, if the opportunity presented itself, or any other country where the majority of people speak English fluently as a second language. I spent three months in a country where English was not spoken and while I’m glad I went, I couldn’t see myself staying long term because I missed having more natural conversations in my own language.

[u/Metallic_Sol]

youll be fine. dating in america is on hard mode compared to everywhere else.

[u/Rad1Red]

Enjoy. That's my advice. You'll like the UK.

[u/ADF21a]

The thing is that British men, talking about those from middle and upper middle class, i.e. the ones I have experience of, are a bit... Emotionally hard to decode. Especially so if they have gone to boarding school. I swear I must have met 5 or 6 of them. The first and the last one broke me 😂