An American woman frequently travelling between the United States and Australia's Gold Coast has sparked a major online discussion after highlighting a fundamental difference in dating etiquette between the two nations.
Tayler Stevenson expressed her bewilderment that Australian men make no effort to approach women in nightclubs, a stark contrast to her experiences back home. Her observations, shared in a video that has since gone viral, have resonated with thousands and ignited a debate about modern dating norms.
The American Nightlife Experience
Stevenson explained that in the United States, she is accustomed to men making the first move. She and her friends are often treated like royalty in US bars, with American guys frequently offering to buy them drinks without any expectation of something in return.
"My whole life in America, I'm used to guys making the first move," she stated. "If you're a hot girl standing at the bar, you're getting everything paid for." She clarified that these interactions are typically not "creepy or weird," but rather, the men will "pull out all the stops" to impress.
Reflecting on her social life stateside, Stevenson remarked, "Most of the time I'd go out with my friends and we could go up to the bar and not pay for a single thing ever. Like ever."
The Australian Social Scene
Upon spending time in Australia, however, Stevenson encountered a completely different social dynamic. She found it odd that during nights out, no Australian men would come up to her or her friends.
"I went out in Australia and I wasn't used to the culture there. Like no guy would come up to me," she told Aussie fashion retailer White Fox. She did laugh and clarify that she now has a boyfriend, so the approach is no longer necessary for her personally.
The video, captioned "God forbid a girl likes a little chivalry," has been viewed nearly 600,000 times, drawing a flood of comments from women around the world.
Global Reactions and Economic Realities
The response was divided. Many women from Canada, New Zealand, and the UK agreed with Stevenson's observation, describing their own similar culture shocks. One woman from the UK even joked, "In the UK, guys come up to you and ask YOU if you're paying for THEIR drink."
Conversely, many Australian women praised the local approach, with one stating, "This is what we want. They literally leave us alone so we can enjoy our night."
A significant point raised in the discussion came from Australian men themselves, who pointed to the soaring cost of living as a primary reason for the change in behaviour.
One man explained, "When drinks were cheap in Australia, it was normal to buy women drinks. Now drinks are $20 to $25 so it's not done anymore." Another added, "Considering you have to work one hour to buy one drink in Australia, we're picky with who we buy drinks for."
This is not the first time Stevenson has commented on the cultural differences. Last year, she also noted that she found it "backwards" that in Australia, women were more likely to approach her boyfriend in clubs than men were to approach her.
