When I was a teenager we all went out in groups, not in couples, as we got to know each other. I guess that's where I get confused - why would you want to spend your evening only with someone you don't know yet, especially with all the "if it works out we might get laid" hanging over all of it? Or is that only the Americans, the getting laid means it was a success part?

Americans also don't like to be separated from their spouses when invited to dinner parties, I find. I was brought up to think that if you only want to talk to your already-coupled partner, you stay home... but I think the fear-of-sex thing is rampant, even in established couples, in the US.

Maybe they all just need to get laid more so they won't have to worry about it so much?