- In January, I moved from Scotland to Spain to start the new year in a new place.
- Barcelona is a fun and vibrant city, and I had fun going out together here.
- I have the impression of being able to meet people in an organic way instead of simply sliding on the applications.
At the beginning of 2025, I uprooted my life and moved to Barcelona.
I did not specifically move for the scene of the Spanish meetings, but at 33, it was definitely part of the draw of the fun city.
I have just Scotland, and go out together in the United Kingdom became quite monotonous. I had slipped beyond the same random Glaswegian guys so many times that I should reset Tinder.
After taking several dates in the last month and a half, here are some of the biggest differences I have noticed about attendance abroad, so far.
I don’t need an application to get a date
I regularly meet people in tapas bars. Danielle Fleming
In the United Kingdom, it seemed that the only way I could get a date was to download a dating application like Hinge, Bumble or Tinder. Even with endless scanning, there was no guarantee.
Men in Scotland rarely approached me unless there is a lot of alcohol. It is not really fun when a guy is submitting to your ear that he wants to get you out.
In Barcelona, however, my requested experience was a little more civilized, for lack of a better word.
When I go out for tapas in one of the full Vermuterias (like a wine bar but for Vermouth) in the Gràcia region, I almost always end up chatting with the guys standing next to me at the bar.
The next thing I know, one of them asks for his server and his pen, and I write my number so that we can meet next weekend.
When I am on the applications, Bumble is king
So far, the men with whom I have discussed on Bumble in Spain have been very direct. Danielle Fleming
Meeting people organically in Barcelona was much easier for me. However, this does not mean that people here do not use (and do not find success) with dating applications.
According to some local friends I have made, the favorite dating application here is Bumble. I quickly downloaded it, and in doing so, it is also the place where I had the most success.
I discovered that the people I put with Bumble are very fast to ask what I want. Am I looking for pleasure? Do I want to go out? Am I looking for a relationship?
This initial and unadorned approach was refreshing. Things are so much easier when everyone communicates and is on the same wavelength.
I do not try to suggest that I will be somehow on the same wavelength as everyone in Barcelona, but I don’t need to be. Since these conversations occurred early and often, I know when to let people go on their happy path instead of being suspended.
The prospect of a dance date was intimidating at the start
In Glasgow, dance was not a typical date option in my social circle. As a rule, entering a pint or a dinner was Go-To.
So when an appointment in Barcelona asked me to go dancing in a salsa and bachata club, I was speechless.
Fortunately, the simple fact of knowing certain basic steps was more than sufficient where we went. Everyone seemed to be there to have a good time.
After that went there, I can see why it is a more popular (and romantic) meeting option here.
I did not pay a single date in Barcelona
In the United Kingdom, most of my friends are appropriate that you should divide the bill on a date. They call me older, but I prefer it when the man I am with our first appointment
Sometimes it occurred naturally without too much push on my side, but it was not the norm.
In Barcelona, however, when I try to lower my money, my handbag is beaten. It may not be everyone’s experience, but I’m not angry that it is the trend for me so far.
After having discussed with one of my dates on the phenomenon, he said that he thought that Latin men feel more likely to spoil a woman while pursuing her.
It seems to me that it is the only one to make “solo dates”
When I go out to eat alone, I find that I am often the only solo steering wheel. Danielle Fleming
Dating can be tiring, and sometimes everything I want to do is fly solo.
Taking me at dinner is one of my favorite things to do – there is nothing better than offering you a delicious meal. I did it all the time in the United Kingdom, no question asked, and I have often seen other people dinner alone too.
However, Barcelona seems to have a more sociable culture. Going out for a meal, in particular, is generally a shared event that lasts hours – not something you do for yourself.
When I started getting out for tapas and wine in Barcelona, waiting staff often asked when my boyfriend was going to introduce themselves.
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