We Compared 19 Dating Rules Between Mexico And UK, And The Results Are Pretty Shocking

"My type on paper."

We all know that dating is an ongoing struggle, and finding someone on your wavelength can be tougher than a stale baguette – that's why most of us implement dating rules in our lives!

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The question is, are dating rules universal??? Well, we got together and compared 20 important dating rules to see if they're the same in Mexico (where Fer lives) and the UK (where Imara lives). Here's what we found out...

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1. Don't be at the short end of the stick – you need to date multiple people at once!

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UK: Nowadays you'll find that the usual way of meeting people, at least here in the UK, is through dating apps and social media. So, don't go on dates thinking you've met the person of your dreams, because they will probably be talking to other people at the same time. Why not do yourself a favour and play the field? You don't want to get emotionally invested in someone that isn't 100% invested in you.

Mexico: I agree, it's important to keep an open mind and not expect the person you're dating to be exclusive from the jump. Later on you can stick with who you like the most!

2. Don't bring your friends on a date with you unless you want them to cock-block.

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UK: It would make the whole interaction very awkward if you brought a friend with you, and no one wants to be in that situation! Although, if you're nervous and you think your friends will be good moral support, I don't see any harm in them being a table away... just keep it yourself!

Mexico: This might seem a little obvious, but believe it or not there are people who actually bring their friends on first dates! When you're dating this is not ideal because you might act differently around your friends, or you'll send the wrong message by implying you're only interested in being friends – and not anything more.

3. Always make sure your hygiene is up to scratch!

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UK: In my opinion, being neat and smelling good is a sign of respect – especially if you're preparing for a big date! Don't come in my presence not smelling correct.

Mexico: Smelling nice is always appreciated. There's no need to overdress or be too formal for dates, but personal hygiene is important, and the other person will find it flattering if you took the time to look good for them!

4. Make sure you have money even if you think the other person will pay.

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UK: We're in 2022 now, and people aren't putting the emphasis on gender norms that they used to. Some women are used to the man paying, and some don't mind splitting the bill or even covering it! It all depends on what makes you comfortable, and what values you look for in a potential partner.

Mexico: Nowadays, we're past gender roles! I guess you might expect the person who did the inviting to pay, but if it's not clear, ask to split it when it's time to pay. 

5. To be on the safe side, avoid ordering messy food!

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UK: Choose what you want to eat, of course, but always have it in mind that certain foods might get stuck in your teeth! When you're smiling or talking, your date might be staring at that piece of food in your teeth, but if you order something more manageable, you won't have to worry too much.

Mexico: I wouldn't say this is a dating rule here as almost all of our food is messy (and we love it). Of course, if you know you can't have spicy or greasy food because your stomach will be making funny noises later, you can prevent it by ordering something light.

6. Don't drink too much on the first date, especially if you're a sloppy drunk.

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UK: To calm their nerves, some people might order a little drink, but sometimes that little drink can have a big effect. You don't want to make a fool out of yourself in front of your date or others. So, if you're an emotional drunk like me, or you know you can't handle your drink, make sure you take it slow!

Mexico: It's easy to speak to people if you've had a few drinks, and in Mexican culture, it's kinda odd to have dinner without a drink! However, if you lose control you'll probably end up ruining the date for everyone, so keep it to a couple of beers (or whatever your tolerance level is) and never get drunk.

7. Your phone is off limits during the date – except for emergencies!

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UK: You don't really want to be on your phone, because it will read as if you're not interested in your date. I know technology runs the world nowadays, but you still have to show respect to the person you made time for!

Mexico: It's okay to pick up your phone and check your social media when your date is in the restroom or out for a smoke, but when you're together, it's pretty rude to be texting or making calls. Keep your head in the game!

8. If you arrange a date online, always tell someone where you're going.

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UK: Remember, you're technically meeting a stranger, so telling a family member or friend where you're going is always a good idea! Also, if you feel unsafe at any point, you can always share your location to one person or more.

Mexico: This is very important for everyone's security. If you meet someone on a dating app, be sure to check their social media profiles and make sure they look legit. Tell your friends where you are going and the name of the person you're going on a date with.

9. Don't talk about your exes on a first date otherwise that will be your first and last date with that person!

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UK: Your first few dates with a person are supposed to be light and easy, so you shouldn't go in talking about past relationships. Yes, it's a good way to learn about a person, but it could seem as if you're not over that person entirely, which will put off your date.

Mexico: Some people think it's a good idea to trash talk their exes when they're dating a new person, but good or bad, you don't know how the other person will take it. 

10. And don't talk about marriage or kids too much!

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UK: Okay, this is a bit of a tricky one! For some people, the thought of marriage and kids is a scary thing to think about, especially if you're in your 20s living your best life. For other people, it's important to know what your date is looking for so as not to waste your time with someone. I think it's generally best to go with the flow with these things though.

Mexico: It's good to share your ideas about marriage and children with your date, but keep it casual!

11. Please don't bring a lot of negativity – good vibes only!

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UK: Acting like you're better or above someone is never a good look, and no one likes that kind of negativity on a date. Sure you can always have a difference in opinion, but don't make it seem like everything you say is right, or go off on too many rants. A good debate never hurt anyone, but don't make your date more controversial than it needs to be.

Mexico: It's nice to talk about and share things you like and dislike, but when you're dating someone, you don't want to talk bad about things all the time. You may end up making it difficult for people to like you!

12. Don't date your ex's best friend or your best friend's ex!

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UK: Wow, that was a mouthful! I mean, this is pretty self-explanatory, but believe me, it happens. Of all the people in the world, you choose to date someone your friend did? It will not only put your friendship in jeopardy, but it'll make you look bad too.

Mexico: I agree, no one wants that drama in their lives. Maybe in some cases where you are all in agreement it might work, but I personally wouldn't do it!

13. If you decide to buy a gift make sure you've put some thought into it.

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UK: You don't need to buy someone a present just because your mum told you to, but if you want to, it's better to get to know someone first and actually put some thought into a gift that suits them!

Mexico: Totally, if you get to the first date with flowers and chocolate, it comes off as kind of old-fashioned and not very personal. In fact, it will just look like a move you try with everyone! Also, some people hate cliché gifts like flowers and chocolate. It's better to get to know them first before you give them a present!

14. If you're in a restaurant, be respectful to everyone around you, not just your date.

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UK: If you're arguing with a waiter, you better have a good reason to! It also comes down to how you deal with the situation. You don't want to make a scene when there are options you can take to remove yourself and solve the problem maturely.

Mexico: In our culture, being rude to waiters or any service people is a HUGE red flag. Fighting with people that are only doing their job when you're on a date is probably just going to get you a one-way ticket to the no-second-date-land immediately!

15. No means no – keep your hands to yourself!

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UK: Everyone has boundaries and they should be respected at all times. If someone doesn't want to be touched, you shouldn't catch an attitude and start making a scene. Even if you think a person is giving you signals, that doesn't mean you're definitely right.

Mexico: Consent is VERY important. When you're dating someone, you might feel the urge to be physical with them, but when you can't read the other person's body language, it can end up being an uncomfortable situation. There are no rules about the number of dates you should wait before kissing or having sex with someone, but until you know that's what the other person wants as well, you should take it easy.

16. Don't feel obliged to go to their house on the first date.

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UK: Just because your date treated you well, doesn't mean you should feel pressure to go back to their place. Some people will act like they're doing you a favour, and you'd need to give them something in return, which is NOT true. Know your worth!

Mexico: I'd also add that on a first date, you should ask the other person to hang out somewhere other than your house. It might give them the wrong idea or cause the date to ultimately go nowhere.

17. At the same time, don't go to a noisy place on your first date either!

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UK: If you want to get to know your date, don't waste time seeing a movie because not much talking happens there! It should be somewhere comfortable and calming, or even an activity to break the ice will do.

Mexico: It was common to take your crush to the movies as a first date when we were younger, but I would say it's better to start by going to places where you can talk comfortably. A picnic or dinner in a restaurant is fine, but choose a bar over a nightclub or – my personal advice – take them to a comedy show! You'll get to know the other person through their sense of humour, and you can break the ice by laughing.

18. Always be upfront if you want a relationship, even if it's gut-wrenchingly awkward.

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UK: I know this is a cringe-y thing to ask – especially if the answer you get isn't what you hoped for – but sometimes you need to know!

Mexico: You should try to be clear from the beginning. It's easy on dating apps because you can be specific about what you want in your profile, but when you meet someone IRL, it's more of a guessing game. You might want to wait a few dates before you ask any heavy questions, as you may discover you enjoy a person's company as a friend instead. However, once you know you really like the person you're dating, you should totally come forward and ask for what you want! 

19. And if the other person tells you they don't want to be in a relationship, believe it!

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UK: We all need to realise that we can't change someone, so if they're not looking for a relationship, take it at face value and don't force it. It may not seem like it, but there are loads of people looking for a relationship. When the time's right, you'll find someone on the same page as you!

Mexico: When we're dating someone and the other person tells us they don't want something serious, sometimes we start this denial process and think, "I'll make them love me back!" This almost always ends badly – my advice is to let go if you know you want different things.

What are some of your dating rules? Let us know in the comments below!

To discover whether finding love really ~does~ transcend cultural barriers, check out Sam Claflin in the new rom-com Book of Love from BuzzFeed Studios, available on Sky Cinema from 12 Feb.

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