Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Against the backdrop of the increasingly integrated world of globalization, this study aimed to look into the communicative dating process in cross-cultural romantic relationship building between college students from the United States and Taiwan. Using the retrospective account interview method for data collection and the theme analysis approach for data analysis, this study has found that, first, both Chinese and American participants were treating their dating and marriage seriously and responsibly. However, the former began shouldering commitment since the first date while the latter would like to go through trial and error in order to find the “right one.” Second, although some American college students hunted for Asian girls for mere sexual excitement, all participants in this study equally voiced that serious dating did not include sex on the first date. Third, throughout their relationships, the Chinese participants tended to be reactive, dependent, and obedient while the American participants appeared proactive, protective, and aggressive. Fourth, most of the cross-cultural couples faced the problems of language inefficiency and lack of cultural background knowledge with sufficient patience, sustaining encouragement, and pains-taking efforts to get familiar with each other’s language and culture. Finally, facing cold faces of some individuals, hostile suspicions in the community, and stubborn disapproval of some family members, most of the participants in this study demonstrated their courage by showing their genuine love to each other, staying together to physically and spiritually support each other at the time of difficulty, and making great efforts to prove that they were the best matches.