Immigration articles on dating: stories, laughs and resources for immigrants, refugees, transplants. Sentimental Refugee. An online magazine.

Immigration problems, issues and concerns: an online magazine for immigrants and refugees. Immigrant cartoons featured.



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ETHNIC GIFTS!

Dating. "And they call these mating rituals?"

Turn to our "Interviews" page for conversations on various topics concerning the life of an immigrant (first generation or otherwise), including dating. Click here.

If you want to contribute to the conversation and send us your personal opinion, stories or experiences click here.

It has been said that each country has its own national character, just like individual people have separate, distinct characters. There are resemblances, but we can see the differences and particularities. We all know stories of fiery Italians, charming and flirtatious French, aloof and punctual Germans, or contained Swiss. On the other hand, they all need friends and families, love and a heart connection.

Courting rituals take many shapes and forms. Some countries don't even have such a thing as "dating", not in the modern American sense at least. In some parts of the world, it is unthinkable for a woman to live alone and go for dinner, alone, with a man. It is unthinkable that one can "date" more than one person at a time, or that, once you start "dating" somebody, you need to reach an agreement that the dating is exclusive. In other words, that none of the two people involved is seeing other people.

The waters can get pretty murky and it's not easy to navigate them at times. Do you have any tips? Can you share any experiences?

Send stories and feedback:
editor@sentimentalrefugee.com

American girl dating a Bajan man:

"I am an American girl dating a Bajan man (Barbados). I have found that the similarities far outweigh the differences. The differences are also more positive than negative. American men seem to have little or no idea how to be open and honest with a woman. What a nice change! Also, the exclusiveness is as variable there as here. It all depends on the individual. When you are compatible, anything is possible!"

QUOTES:
"Every man ought to be in love a few times in his life, and to have a smart attack of the fever. You are better for it when it is over: the better for your misfortune, if you endure it with a manly heart; how much the better for success, if you win it and a good wife into the bargain!" -- Thackeray

FEATURED BOOK:

Disappearance of the Outside: A Manifesto for Escape

by Andrei Codrescu
Taking into account his own exile from Stalinist Romania, as well as the plights of such greats as Garcia Marquez, Breton, Dada, Kundera, and Milosz, Codrescu issues a call for those living in a free society to reach beyond a benign reality founded in technology and commercialism by tapping into their imaginations and striving for a better, evolutionary existence.

Check out our Sentimental Refugee Arts and Fun Store featuring cartoons, illustrated stories and traditions from world cultures!

"Job Interview" Cartoon: what happens when Mr. Naheed applies for a job in the United States

"A life without love is like a year without summer." Illustrated Swedish proverb.

From Russia: Vodka and Caviar. It's Party Time! Click here.

From Japan: An illustrated love story about a beautiful wife. Click here.

FEATURED INTERVIEW:

Sonia Choquette. (first generation born in the USA)
"The first thing to say about the experience of an immigrant is that people are like a tree whose roots have been cut off. Fortunately the human spirit is regenerative but only if you acknowledge that you have suffered a major psychic wound, even if you move under the best of conditions. So you can build new roots." Read more...