Dating someone from a different country comes with more than just the sexy accent and the #reunited Instagram posts. It (sometimes) comes with adapting to each other’s different socio-economic backgrounds and views about money.
Having been in a relationship with a Dutch guy, I can tell you that the weak Rand’s poor performance against the Euro has offered up a whole bunch of new challenges.
Dinner dates are always a compromise
Whether it’s a swanky dinner or a dirt cheap pizza night, deciding on a restaurant that not only pleases our cravings, but also both our wallets is always a battle. As a self-proclaimed independent woman ‘going Dutch’ is a welcomed part of our relationship. But it also means sometimes, I will have to miss out on that pair of shoes so that we can go to that really fancy restaurant that he has been dying to try and sometimes, he will just have to settle for a Quarter Pounder.
Bae-cations take a different turn
Planning vacations is a financial nightmare. His plans usually include that exotic island in Indonesia while mine include that 4 hour road-trip to Durban. We often have to be honest with what we want and what we can afford. Proper planning and looking out for those ultimate travel deals is also a must!
Gifting seasons are tough
Whether it is Valentine’s Day or Christmas, receiving that expensive gift (while knowing that you could not afford to get him that really expensive pair of sun glasses) will probably get you down.
But knowing that he’ll always appreciate anything that I get him makes him so much of a keeper! And, I get to be really creative and sentimental with the gifts.
Seeing each other is always cost determined
Whether it is the length of that Skype call or determining who will spend the ridiculous time and a cost of travelling to see one another is not easy.
It will take saving, working that extra job and limiting those expensive cocktail nights with the girls to make it work! But it will definitely be worth it!
Read more: 10 tips for braving long distance love
Do things apart, happily.
You probably won’t be able to do everything together but rather than becoming the jealous girlfriend encourage him to go skydiving with friends or do that expensive trip without you!
It may not be as fun to merely see the photographs but he probably deserves something for those multiple budget nights on the couch watching reruns of Sex and the City.
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