I’ve lived overseas with my European boyfriend for 3 years. We still can’t agree on dinner time, investment strategies, or how to talk to each other’s families.

Living with a partner from a different culture can be an enriching experience, but it can also come with its own set of challenges. After living overseas with my European boyfriend for three years, we still find ourselves struggling to agree on basic things like dinner time, investment strategies, and how to communicate with each other’s families.

Dinner Time

One of the first differences we noticed in our daily routine was our meal times. In Europe, dinner is typically eaten later in the evening compared to where I come from. This caused some tension initially as we tried to adjust our schedules to accommodate each other’s preferences. We eventually compromised and now have dinner at a time that works for both of us.

Investment Strategies

When it comes to finances, we have different ideas on how to invest our money. My boyfriend comes from a conservative background where saving is prioritized, while I come from a more liberal approach to investing. We have had to have many discussions and consult financial experts to find a middle ground that works for both of us.

Communicating with Family

Another challenge we face is how to communicate with each other’s families. While my family is more direct and open in their communication style, my boyfriend’s family is more reserved and formal. This has led to some misunderstandings and hurt feelings on both sides. We are still learning how to navigate this cultural difference and find ways to bridge the communication gap.

Conclusion

Living overseas with my European boyfriend has been a journey of growth and understanding. While we still have disagreements and challenges, we have learned to communicate openly and compromise in order to find solutions that work for both of us. Building a strong foundation of respect, understanding, and patience has been key in overcoming our cultural differences and building a strong relationship.

FAQs

1. How did you and your boyfriend overcome your differences in meal times?

We compromised and adjusted our schedules to find a time that works for both of us. Communication and understanding were key in finding a solution that worked for both of us.

2. How did you and your boyfriend navigate your differences in investment strategies?

We had many discussions and consulted financial experts to find a middle ground that took into account both of our backgrounds and comfort levels with investing. Open communication and a willingness to compromise were essential in finding a solution that worked for both of us.

3. How did you and your boyfriend learn to communicate with each other’s families?

We are still learning and adapting to each other’s communication styles. Building empathy, understanding, and patience has been key in navigating our cultural differences and finding ways to effectively communicate with each other’s families.