Mrrzy, I've been a foreigner all my life in one way or another. I have always felt as if I were on the outside looking in; that there were things about the dating rituals that only a privileged few were allowed to know. But after years of experimentation I finally came to understand that the women I dated didn't know the rules either. In general you make them up as you go along.

The safe way to play is to ask your date about the rules - especially if you think you might be about to break one. "How do you feel about having someone open doors for you?" "Would you prefer to pay your own way or should we decide who is 'treating' who on a per-event basis?" "Would it bother you if I were to pop my pimples at the dinner table?" Questions like these can open doors to much broader discussions. They also let your date know that you are making an effort to be considerate of their preferences.