Twist with a lemon

My recent conversation with Jez has forced me to look at why date and why not date Singaporean men. I may not have dated alot of nationalities compared to some but of an average Singaporean girl, I think it would be considered quite a variety.

Dating a guy of different nationalities is a novelty I would say. One gets excited and extremely interested in knowing and understanding the differences in cultures, practice and language..especially for someone like me who is totally fascinated by a different language. Yet, knowing and learning does not equal to accepting and adopting them as my own. There are certain aspects of a culture that I find myself not be able to accept;due to my upbringing in Singapore I guessed and also the values I inherently believe in. It doesnt help that some aspects of these cultures I vehemently oppose to..it certainly doesnt help in a relationship and then that is where I think that, perhaps there is no future in a relationship of this sort.

Although a novelty, it is also about moving out of our comfort zone when dating other nationalities. Obviously, the differing cultures can make one uncomfortable with what we have been used to and what we can expect from our own nationality. One will know what to expect when dating a fellow Singaporean such as Singlish, the common understanding of how growing up is like at home, the food we eat..the places to club etc. Then again, when we look into the future, even when one is able to move out of our comfort zone and thus expand our comfort zone further, will we be able to be comfortable with this for the rest of our life? What if someday, down the road, we finally realised that I want to return to what have been familiar to be for 20 years? Such is the dilemma.

Much had been said my many about the complaints of Singaporean men and I think I shall not add on here. Just one thing that ticks for me and that is being a gentleman, or one who knows how to treat a lady. Once, on a date with a Japanese guy back in New York, we were having a western meal and he had ordered a plate of grilled fish. While squeezing his lemon on his fish, he had his hands covered to keep it away from me. I noticed that and was totally impressed. It may seem to be a trivial matter but it was my first time having a meal with a guy who does that. Anyway, it is the little things of this sort that makes a guy a gentleman.

So, the next time you have a meal with a girl, cover while squeezing your lemon, please.