13 of the strangest dating traditions from around the world

As far as dating traditions go, us Brits don't really have any. While it's sometimes expected that the man will at least offer to pay for the first meal out, it's not necessarily written in the rulebook. In general, as a nation, we're not great at dating, with a survey by OnePoll revealing that 14% of Brits haven't ever been on a first date in their lives. Also, it turns out we're pretty shy, with 43% of the population admitting that they have never approached a stranger who they found attractive.

1. France

In France, dating doesn't really exist. In the "country of love", once you begin dating someone, you become "exclusive" straight away. While we like to keep our options open and date multiple people at a time, the French put their all into one person.

2. South Korea

In South Korea, men carry around their girlfriends' handbags when they're out and about together. But not only content with carrying their personal possessions, males are also expected to carry all shopping, as this apparently makes the female appear more feminine.

3. Sweden

Casual, relaxed dating over coffee is called "Fika" in Swedish, and it is usually seen as the beginning of a relationship. The Swedes are a pretty exclusive bunch, with it not being okay to flirt with others once you start the dating process.

4. Poland

In Poland, one way of showing your attraction to a woman is by brushing her with a stick. Dyngus day involves Polish men brushing women with Pussy Willow branches (lol), in the hope that they will make a connection. They also throw water at the women, who throw dishes in return. Yeah, it's a pretty violent beginning to the relationship.

5. Croatia

Not necessarily a dating tradition, but a traditional Croatian proposal begins in the strangest way. "Obilizje" is a tradition that refers the potential groom presenting his bride-to-be with an apple with coins inside of it.

6. Netherlands

Unsurprisingly, given that it's called "going Dutch", it's common in the Netherlands to split the bill when you're on a date. However, the expression doesn't actually refer to going halves on a bill, it originates from the idea of Dutch doors - famous farmhouse doors which split open equally.

7. Iran

Online dating has arrived in Iran, where there has been a rise in "temporary marriages". Suitors are allowed to meet three times, fully supervised, before deciding if they would like to get married or never see each other again.

8. Finland

Finland's hatred of PDA is a little bit excessive compared to the rest of the world. Tradition has it that they only say "I love you" twice in their lives - on their wedding day and on their deathbed.

9. Cambodia

In the Kreung tribe, it is a tradition for fathers to build "love huts" for their daughters and to encourage them to have as many lovers as they like until they find "the one".

10. Japan

Valentine's Day in Japan gives women a chance to show their affection by sending chocolates to their partners. However, a month after V-Day is White Day, whereby those who have received chocolate must return the favour in the form of white gifts like chocolate, lingerie and marshmallows.

11. Armenia

On the evening of St Sarkis - the patron saint of young love - Armenian women traditionally eat a slice of Aghablit (salty bread) and go to sleep thirsty. The idea is that they will dream about someone coming to quench their first - and that person is their future spouse.

12. Bhutan

The people of Bhutan are obviously fans of William Shakespeare. When courting a woman, men are welcome to take part in a traditional courtship ritual called Bomena, in which they have to sneak into their lover's room in under cover of darkness. If they're caught, they either have to marry their love or work in her family's fields as punishment.

13. United States

According to Match.com, 80 percent of Americans claim to not have sex on their first date. Even more surprisingly, only 6.5 percent admit to going the other way frequently.