In the world of singles, love, romance, and dating, it may not be clear what issues arise for various cultures and ethnic groups. However, if you happen to be the one facing those difficulties in the dating world, be it online dating or in person, those issues are often all too apparent.

The stereotypes of Asians in American society are perhaps one of the most difficult aspects to overcome when dating. The perceptions from non-Asians are often skewed when compared to the reality of Asian beliefs, customs, and characteristics. It is important to remember that everyone does not share these misconceptions, so, while it may seem like you have to weed through a lot, it will be worth it once you find the right person.

Asian women are often thought to be overly submissive and sexual. The submissive aspect may become a problem when an Asian woman’s personality does not meet with this stereotype. This may lead to partners showing an interest, only to become dismayed that their perceptions are incorrect. When coupled with sexuality, this submissive typecast may be a real problem for partners that expect an Asian woman to be geared to please, unwilling to say no, and hyper-sexual. In a dating scenario, it is not difficult to see how this could become a real issue.

Many men may seek out Asian women as partners because of this inaccurate perception. The idea of a petite and beautiful woman whose primary purpose is to please the man she is with would appeal to many men. However, in the real world, women rarely fit this profile, Asian or otherwise. Therefore, being able to filter prospects is one of the more daunting tasks for an Asian woman in this regard.

On the other hand, Asian men are typically not looked at as sexual at all. In fact, a common stereotype of Asian men assumes they are awkward, oddly intelligent, and sometimes belittling of women. This, of course, is often not the case; however, it is a perception that Asian men often have to contend with in the dating world.

While Asian women are commonly sought out, Asian men are often not. However, being sought out to fulfill a misguided fantasy is not that desirable.

Another issue that is common among Asians as they face the dating world is the difference in the Eastern and Western philosophies. While this may not be as much the case among highly Americanized individuals, it often is for individuals that retain many of the beliefs and structure of their culture. Often, people from Eastern societies are considerably more respectful and seem to be passive when compared to those of Western society. Commonly, these individuals would be less likely to challenge their bosses, parents, or others in positions of authority, as it would be considered disrespectful to do so. This is a fundamental character difference present among many people from different parts of the world. Therefore, when you couple a person that is very respectful with another that is more direct, a serious clash of personalities is likely to occur.

To circumvent these issues with dating outside of one’s race or because someone just prefers to date someone from their own culture, many Asians seek to date other Asians that can relate to many of their characteristics, traditions, and cultural aspects of their personalities. However, this can potentially raise another issue.

Depending on where you happen to be dating, there may or may not be an abundance of Asians that you want to date. Of course, there are many online dating services that are targeted toward specific ethnic or religious groups; however, if long distance dating is not ideal for you, it still may present a problem if you are not in a geographical location with a high Asian population. If this is a major issue, it may be worth relocating so you can be closer to those that can relate to you culturally.