Foreigners are my weakness. Maybe it’s the accent, maybe it’s their openness for adventure, hell maybe it’s their love making. Whatever the case, I’m know that foreign guys make amazing boyfriends, and I know from experience…
I’ve travelled far and wide with nothing but a passport and a smile, and I’ve met countless future husbands. When I travel to Europe, I always ask myself what makes European men more appealing than many Americans. I’ve decided it all comes down to a few important qualities.
1. He thrives in community living
With friends from around the world, I know how much community means to many foreign men. A walk to the store isn’t just a walk to the store — it’s an adventure, and everyone he meets along the way is a friend until proven otherwise.
In addition to European men, community plays major part in Latin culture. It defines their value system. It’s an all for one, one for all mindset, which is carried on by everyone in the community. Because it’s is so important to them, communication is usually a strength for foreign guys. He voices his opinion because he aims to resolve it, rather than letting it settle because he enjoys watching you squirm (that’s so American).
2. Family is his identity
Most foreigners are really enthusiastic; they have a different outlook on life. For most non-English speaking countries, family and friends make up the main part of their lives, not just socially, but intimately and emotionally. It’s the fabric of their cultural foundation.
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For the most part, the importance of family is how foreign men define themselves. Culturally, Americans define manhood through action and masculinity. But in countries like Italy, Brazil or some nations in Central America, what defines a man is how much others love them, not how much they accomplish. To a spoiled American like myself, this quality is sexy as hell.
3. Life will be unpredictable
The fact that he is of a different culture will enrich your life in ways you can’t imagine, from the type of food he’ll cook to what he does in the bedroom (hey!). While the rest of your American friends carry on typical American relationships with Netflix, Pizza Hut and kale chips, your house will be half-made from a different thread. He’ll bring different kinds of music, humor, laughter and games to your life and that’s thrilling.
4. His accent
I’m a sucker for Australian or English accents myself, but lately I’ve begun to admire the seduction of Latinos and Europeans. Literally, those accents drop me to my knees.
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Throughout the relationship, he’ll teach you words in his native language, while you teach him the meanings of simple English phrases, which will make you feel smart AF. The best part is when things get bad and you start fighting, hearing him confuse one phrase for another will make you giggle — though you try your hardest to stay mad.
5. He’s cultured
Let’s face it, people from Europe are cultured by nature. With so many countries surrounding them, 95 percent of them are likely to speak a second or third language. Not to mention, they soak in their history, food and various ideas, which makes them great debaters.
Most of them know what’s actually happening in the world, mainly because they don’t have Fox News and other cable networks that twist the truth on a daily basis. America is big, but the truth of the matter is we’re so far off from the rest of the world we might as well be living in a bunker.
6. He’s open to experimenting with commitment
I’m not saying all foreigners want open relationships or sexual experimentation, but in Italy especially, it’s not uncommon to have both a partner and a man on the side. Each country and culture is different: Sometimes relationships are sacred, but other times sex is pastime and meaningless, except when it matters.
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Have you seen these commercials from Norway and the Netherlands? They’re more daring than any HBO show we have here. But be careful, the last thing you want to get involved with is a jealous Spaniard — it ain’t pretty.
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7. You’ll never stop learning
People from old countries have a lot to teach us, both about ourselves and about modern society. Greeks, Italians, Spaniards and other foreign cultures are rooted in history — a history they try their hardest to keep.
It’s been hard to maintain a bit of their cultural traditions in the age of social media, but they have. It means something to them, and much of it has to do with its philosophies on love, self, family and ego. We can learn a lot from them. Imagine the late night pillow talks.
8. Enthusiasm is everything
I once dated a guy from Serbia, a nation that doesn’t exactly make their LGBT citizens feel welcome. Everything was new to him. He had a zest about the smallest of things we typically take for granted, like technology, delivery.com and subways that go straight to the beach.
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We as Americans have become unsatisfied with everything because we want more, more and more. But most of the foreigners I know enjoy the journey, rather than the outcome, which makes the whole experience even better. They’re adventurous and live on spontaneity, and they don’t know how to make work replace friendships. This is a quality every boyfriend ought to have.
9. A comfortable place to stay abroad
Let’s talk here. How many of us can say we have a free place to stay in Iceland, Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid or Rio? Not a lot. The fact that his family is there means a lot of traveling should you guys get serious. Once you’re there, you can take the train to pretty much anywhere else. Forget AirBnB, you got your man’s family to house (and feed) you!
David Artavia is an actor and writer from New York City. He loves living vicariously through his friends. Follow him on Twitter and Like his Facebook page.
