Travel experts reveal how flirting differs around the world, from banter in Britain to winking in Spain and from NEVER playing hard to get in Denmark to the best icebreaker in the US.
In the mood and market for a holiday romance?
Then pay close attention to the insights travel experts reveal here about how flirting differs around the world.
They reveal the best icebreaker in the US, the land where flirting is tangible and filled with winks and the place where lingering eye contact and buttery compliments are the order of the day on the courtship front.
Our love gurus also mention the countries where women can expect men to be openly persistent – and a place where men literally bark like dogs at the opposite sex.
Read on for some helpful global lessons in love…
Woo goes there: MailOnline contacted travel and romance experts to find out how flirting differs around the world
UK – sharp humor hides simmering passion
Hannah Dorling, cruise travel expert and founder of I like cruise shipsis a Brit who has traveled the world and witnessed many a love affair on board.
She claims that humor is leading the way for chatting in Britain.
She tells MailOnline Travel: ‘British flirting succeeds more through banter and intellectual sparring than through overt displays… sharing private laughter helps intimacy grow.
‘For me the intrigue lies in the subtleties of British flirting. Mastering repartee, inside jokes and sensing the possibilities beneath… It may look subdued, but passions can still simmer beneath the surface.’
United States – direct and sincere
Noël Wolf is a culture expert and Babbel Live teacher for the language site Babble. He says: ‘Americans are known for being more to the point and sincere in their flirting than their compatriots in Britain.’
He notes that asking about someone’s career is the traditional American icebreaker, adding, “Americans tend to be less sarcastic than British people!”
South China – chopstick codes in rice balls
Clarissa Bloom is a relationship expert for ‘hen party experts’ www.thestagcompany.com. She notes a fun flirting tradition in southern China: ‘They celebrate the Sisters Meal Festival, their version of Valentine’s Day.
‘The women cook some glutinous rice in different colors, and when a man “takes the step” they hand him some rice in a handkerchief. If they unpack it and find two chopsticks, it means it worked.
“Only one chopstick means the girl isn’t interested, but since only the guy can see how many chopsticks are in it, it’s relatively subtle and less embarrassing if it’s a no.”
In Britain and Australia, friendly banter paves the way for romance, while in the US, asking people about their work can be the opening salvo for love
Spain – direct eye contact and lots of touching
Michele Massa is a Spanish travel expert and CEO of Ibiza summer villas. She talks about how Spaniards like to keep things tangible: ‘Spaniards are very expressive people and when flirting we tend to show this through direct eye contact and physical touch.’
Sara Rodriguez, founder of Madrid Travelagrees: ‘You don’t have to be shy with the ‘me gustas’ (I like you) – we strive to leave no uncertainty about romantic interest.
‘Women in particular are bold and lead with a smile and a wink… we think clarity is sexy – why dance around the chemistry when you can feel the fire?’
Canada – a subtle dance
Michael Donovan is a travel expert and co-founder of StayNewEngland.com.
He says: ‘Flirting in Canada tends to be quieter than in many parts of the world. Canadians have a reputation for being polite and respectful, and this translates into romantic pursuits.
‘Overtly sexual comments may be considered rude.
‘Although Canadian flirting has little impact, it runs deep. Canadians seek life partners, not conquests. It is a subtle dance, in which communication and egalitarian values stimulate attraction.’
France – lingering eye contact and buttery compliments
Picking someone up is called ‘draguer’ in French, literally dredging.
Yet Fiona Spinks, travel expert and publisher of Fiona followedbelieves that the French have turned flirting into a high art: ‘AYou’ll have persistent eye contact, suggestive body language, and buttery compliments about your intelligence or irresistible je ne sais quoi.
“Leave it to the land of romance to take the simple chat-up line to a poetic level with romantic gestures like handwritten notes and intimate invitations.”
In some countries, flirting tends to be overt (if you look at Italy, France and Spain), while in more conservative countries such as India and Egypt, flirting is more codified and needs to be done in wider social circles.
India – tradition runs deep
Travel expert Anjali Chawla, founder of Travel melodiesnotes that Indian romantic cues are subtle, with suitors relying on gestures, “gentle” compliments, and finding excuses to interact in social situations.
She says, “Being too direct or overt with advances is generally not appreciated.”
Tradition is the key. Anjali continues: ‘Since parental involvement often plays an important role in the matchmaking process, openly dating multiple potential partners is usually not an initially accepted option. Flirting occurs most often during family gatherings and other controlled environments in the early stages.
‘Long-standing power dynamics also favor lighter-skinned people over darker skin tones, although this is slowly becoming more prevalent in modern urban areas.’
Italy – persistent
In Mexico it is common to hear wolves whistling or shouting comments out loud
Emily Mendez, psychotherapist and writer for Tom’s blog, notes: ‘Italy has a reputation for amorous, persistent men who ruthlessly pursue the objects of their desire. Serenades and poetic overtures are more common flirting tactics [there] than in many other countries.’
Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica – fast and aggressive
In Mexico and South America, flirting can become quite aggressive, according to Clarissa Bloom.
She says that in Brazil they are “much faster at dating and flirting,” adding, “It’s common to be close, dance together and kiss on a first date in Brazil.”
In Mexico, on the other hand, “it is common to hear wolves whistling or shouting comments out loud,” and in Costa Rica “you may hear men making dogs bark at you, which is a strange way to show your attraction.”
Egypt – keep it modest
‘[In Egypt] Islamic values play an important role in shaping social interactions, including flirting,” said Mona Gomaa Flash Pack’s True Egypt tour.
She adds: ‘Modesty and respect are highly valued, and public displays of affection or provocative behavior are generally frowned upon in public.
‘Unmarried men and women generally do not interact freely and do not openly express their interest in each other. Instead, they may seek the help of intermediaries, such as family members or friends.”
Australia – friendly banter
Like their Commonwealth cousins, Australians prefer playful banter, fueled by humor and confidence, to pick-up lines, says Rosalind Cuthbertson, travel expert and co-owner of Frequent traveler.
She adds: ‘They tease with funny jokes, often about cultural touchpoints, demonstrating their ability to charm while gently poking fun.’
Germany and Denmark are both known for their direct, no-nonsense approach to flirting. In the photo: a couple in Copenhagen
Germany – in advance and punctual
Noel Wolf from Babbel says: ‘Germans are known for being direct, and that can also apply in the dating world. Showing off or cheap lines don’t tend to be the preferred style.
‘Honest communication is appreciated, even though the truth can sometimes be a bit painful, so people tend not to beat around the bush.
‘One thing you should keep in mind is the importance of punctuality; Being fashionably late doesn’t make a good first impression!’
Denmark – talk honestly
According to Nicolai Lonne, travel expert and founder of Dive in, the Danish flirting style is similar to their German cousins: ‘We have a very direct approach to flirting and dating here in Denmark. For example, we Danes don’t really like playing hard-to-get or cryptic hints. We value honesty and openness about our intentions.‘