Lonely Expats Looking for Valentines Love

Being an expat in a foreign country where you don't speak the language is hard at the best of times. And if you're single with the most romantic day of the year looming, what do you do?

You could sit at home and feel sorry for yourself, but the modern expat in Europe is turning to exciting new ways of finding Mr or Mrs Right before February 14.

One way is through SpeedDating, where you get 25 different three-minute dates in one evening.

SpeedDating was nothing more than a fad in cities such as London and New York, but for expats in Europe, it's proving to be a lifesaver come February 14.

Many single expats find SpeedDating an attractive, safe and efficient alternative to the superficial bar scene and torturous three-hour blind dates.

A Valentine's edition of Expatica SpeedDate, in central Amsterdam, has proved so popular that people are queuing up just to be on the reserve list.

Although the concept was intended for English-speaking expatriates, more and more locals are looking to meet interesting international people.

But, is three minutes enough? Can you really meet Mr or Mrs Right? And if so, will it develop into a long-term relationship?

The answer to all three questions was " yes " for Canadian expat Jay Parker* who met Australian Monique Frey* at an Expatica SpeedDate evening in Amsterdam in 2002 -- and is about to get married. The happy couple now lives in Canada and last told Expatica they are busy in "wedding planning mode".

For those not quite bold enough to launch themselves into a room with complete strangers, an ever-increasing way of finding love is online. Match.com is the largest of the online dating sites, but it's not a great deal of use if, for example, you're an American living in Paris.

Enter Expatica.com - which runs Europe's largest online dating service for expats. With over 6,000 profiles online, Expatica Date provides a platform for lonely expats to meet up in a foreign land.

And the site appears to be doing the trick - Expatica often receives emails from happy couples boasting how they met on the site.

So, for those seeking romance for Valentines, there is help out there-if you're willing to post a profile online or blind date 25 people in one evening.

*Names have been changed to protect privacy

[Copyright Expatica News 2005]

For more information on this article, please contact:

Colleen Geske
Expatica Communications BV
colleen.geske@expatica.com
+31-20-888-4297

About Expatica Communications - http://www.Expatica.com
Expatica Communications publishes news and information for expatriate Europe. The company publishes the top English-language news & information source for expatriates living in, working in or moving to the Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium and Spain. Expatica publishes ten websites plus a printed HR newsletter and five, country-oriented Survival Guides. Expatica also hosts regular Expat Nights, aimed at brining the expatriate community together.

About Expatica Date - www.expatica.com/date
Expatica Date is Europe's only online dating site for expatriates. Expatica Date has over 6,000 user profiles and provides a platform for expatriates to meet online while living in a foreign country. Expatica Date has been online since 2001 and has doubled its membership in the last year.


More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Dating Information:

Related Articles

You Dont Have To Be A Genius To Write A Love Poem
Love poems are a wonderfully romantic gesture and can often express your thoughts far more eloquently than verbal communication.If you have some talent with words, why not take a few moments and try your hand at writing a poem for your lover? Just sit down and list all the reasons why you think they're special.
Im Looking for Mr. Right, Am I Too Picky?
Many of my clients that I coach are single and looking for that one perfect mate that is going to understand and love them. Most of these clients are in their 20's 30's or early 40's.
Objections Are Signs Somebody Is Interested
The fact is, most people think they handle objections with ease.The reality paints a different picture.
Teen Dating, Things To Think About
Are you a teen who is dating? Are you a pre teen who is thinking they would like to start dating? Or, are you a parent of one of these teens? Are you worried about what to expect, what to do and how to react to your date? One of the most important things to remember about teen dating is that it is just that, teen dating not a life long relationship type date. Now, before you teens get upset; think about how your teen dating experiences are going to play out.
Adult Dating: Friend or Foe - Your Sex Life and the Internet!
There was a time when finding a date, partner, lover or playmate online was frowned upon. It was for people who couldn't get a date any other way!Oh how things have changed?not only can you sign up to a site listing thousands of singles who match your height, size, location and taste in food?now you can choose your sex partners too.
Mom Says
So, you're a member of every suitable on-line dating site, you hang out at all the right spots and feverishly attend networking events, you've answered personal ads that appeal to you and you still haven't met the one. Or if you're like me, you've dated a series of potential perfect matches only to be left with disappointment.
E-Love at Easter! Part One
Kiki sat on the park bench, staring ruefully at the passers by. Last night's row with Tolu was the cause of her blues.
How To Make A Lasting Impression
How many times have you felt the urge to impress a girl you've just met ? I'm talking about the kind of burning need that you feel, the compulsive urge that tells your brain that you've got to impress this girl at any cost; the kind of impression that leaves your imprint in her mind. Catch my drift ???For starters, you've got to be well groomed; appearance plays an important role in the formation of first impression.
Dumb Dating Mistakes Men Make with Women
Do you strike out with single women in the romance department no matter what you do? You can even be a drop-dead good-looking guy, but unless you know what is offensive to a woman's ears, you are likely to stick your foot in your mouth and make a fool of yourself and turn off women.With today's single woman you need to know what she wants and then give to her without sounding phony.
Dating Dilemma: The Man Who Said Hed Call and Didnt
You went out with the guy. You both had a great time (or at least you thought he did!).
How to Get a Girl to Like You
We've all had that special woman in our lives. You know.
Four Dating Rules You Must Know To Transform Your Love Life
Dating is the first step to love. I am going to give you a simple guide to find your dream-lover.
Impress Your Date: Proper Grooming Tips For Him
So you have scored the date, she has agreed to go out with you. Now the preparation begins.
8 Deadly Dating Mistakes To Avoid!
Are you dating or in a serious relationship? Did you realize that very often we make the same dating mistakes over and over again? As outlined in my book "the Ultimate Online Dating Handbook" sometimes these mistakes can lead to losing the date of our dreams, or possibly being in a bad relationship. I've compiled a list of dating No-nos which will help you identify a possible problem that you can work on to improve your dating experience.
Am I Weird If I Date Online?
True story: A few years back I was working with a client who had recently moved to Los Angeles. She was single, did not know many people in the big city, and felt a little lonely.
Friday Night Fitness Dates
Close your eyes and imagine this romantic setting: an intimate picnic on the beach, you and your mate enjoying strawberries from a fresh fruit salad, and both of you enjoying the ocean breeze as plans are being made for your next date. All of this, of course, after you jogged with your sweetie on the beach at sunset.
Dating Tool: Confidence 101
I'm over it. "There's plenty of fish in the sea," they say.
How to Carry Yourself With the Body Language of an Alpha Male
Watch Brad Pitt, George Clooney, or any other man with high status and you'll notice that they simply move differently than the rest of us. They have an aura about them that they are hot stuff, and because of that, women swoon over them.
Safe Cyber Dating
Cyber dating is one of the most popular dating venues these days. No longer is it necessary to go to the bar down the street to find a date.
e-Matchmaking: Can a Computer Program Find Love For You?
I logged on to a dating site the other day and was greeted by a large, flashing message. It promised that if I took the time to answer a series of questions that they would find a "perfect match" for me.