Intercultural Perspectives on Dating and Relationship Norms Survey Analysis

 Intercultural Perspectives on Dating and Relationship Norms Survey Analysis

My research topic: Dating and relationship norms

Target: Japanese and International Students

Number of respondents: 19 Japanese students and 25 International students

(Summary) A total of 44 respondents participated in this survey examining intercultural perspectives on dating and relationship norms among university students.

(Results)

Student Classification

Among the respondents, 56.8% were international students, while 43.2% were Japanese students. This relatively balanced distribution allows for meaningful comparisons between domestic and international perspectives on dating and relationships.

#1

Nationality Distribution

Among international respondents, participants represented a diverse range of nationalities, including students from Thailand, Korea, Indonesia, Germany, France, Mexico, Costa Rica, Slovakia, the Netherlands, and the Bahamas. The largest nationality groups accounted for approximately 15.4% each, indicating a multicultural sample with broad international representation.

#1.2

Gender Distribution

The sample was predominantly female, with 70.5% identifying as female and 27.3% identifying as male. A small proportion (2.3%) identified as non-binary, while no respondents selected "prefer not to say." This gender imbalance should be considered when interpreting the results, as perspectives may be more reflective of female experiences and attitudes.

#2

Age Distribution

Most respondents (79.5%) were between 18 and 22 years old, followed by 11.4% aged 23–25, and 9.1% aged 26 and above. The findings therefore primarily reflect the views of young adults, particularly university-aged students, which aligns with the target population of this study.

#3

Relationship Experience

For relationship experience, the majority, with 54.5%, stated they were previously in a relationship. Following with 29.5% are currently in a relationship. Only 15.9% stated they have no relationship experience. This suggests that the majority of respondents have personal experience with romantic relationships, potentially providing informed perspectives on dating norms and intercultural interactions.

#4

Importance of an official confession before dating

Participants were asked how important they considered an official confession ("kokuhaku") before entering a romantic relationship, using a scale from 1 (not important) to 5 (very important). The results indicate that respondents generally place a high value on an official confession before dating. The majority selected either 4 (40.9%) or 5 (43.2%), meaning that 84.1% of respondents viewed an official confession as important or very important. Only one respondent (2.3%) selected 2, while no respondents selected 1.

These findings suggest that clear verbal confirmation remains an important aspect of relationship formation among the surveyed participants. Despite growing globalization and exposure to different dating cultures, most respondents still prefer a clearly defined transition from friendship or the talking stage into an official romantic relationship.

#5

Acceptability of Talking to Multiple People During the Talking Stage

The responses were relatively mixed, although opinions leaned slightly toward disapproval. The most common response was 2 (38.6%), followed by 3 (29.5%). Only 20.4% selected 4 or 5, while 11.4% selected 1. Overall, the findings suggest that many participants are uncomfortable with pursuing multiple romantic interests simultaneously, even before a relationship becomes official. However, the substantial number of neutral responses indicates that attitudes toward exclusivity during the talking stage vary considerably across individuals and cultural backgrounds.

#6

Expected Length of the Talking Stage

Participants were asked how long they believe the talking stage should typically last before a couple officially begins dating. The majority (63.6%) selected 1–3 months, making it the most widely accepted duration. Another 27.3% believed that 1–4 weeks was appropriate. Only a small minority preferred either less than one week or more than three months.

These results suggest that respondents generally view the talking stage as an important period for getting to know a potential partner, but not one that should continue indefinitely. Most participants appear to expect a relationship to become defined within a few months.

#7

Comfort with Public Displays of Affection 

Respondents rated their comfort level with public displays of affection, such as holding hands or hugging, using a scale from 1 (very uncomfortable) to 5 (very comfortable). The responses reveal moderate to high levels of comfort with PDA. The most common response was 4 (27.3%), followed by 3 (25.0%) and 5 (15.9%). However, a notable proportion of participants selected 1 (13.6%) or 2 (18.2%).

This distribution suggests that while many respondents are comfortable expressing affection in public, opinions remain divided. Cultural background may play an important role, as attitudes toward public affection differ significantly across societies. The results indicate that PDA is generally accepted among respondents, although a substantial minority still feel uncomfortable with it.

#8

What Surprised Respondents Most About Other Countries' Dating Cultures?

Participants were asked to describe what surprised them most about dating practices in other countries. Several common themes emerged from the responses, highlighting significant intercultural differences in relationship expectations and behaviors.

One of the most common responses was the difference in confession culture. Many participants were surprised that some countries do not have an official confession before dating, while others considered confession an important step before becoming a couple.

Another frequently mentioned theme was talking to multiple people during the talking stage. Some respondents were surprised that this behavior is accepted in certain countries, while others viewed it as unusual.

Many participants also mentioned differences in public displays of affection (PDA). Responses often referred to holding hands, hugging, or kissing in public. Some countries were viewed as being more open about showing affection, while others were seen as more reserved.

Several respondents were surprised by differences in meeting parents and family involvement. In some cultures, meeting a partner’s parents happens early in the relationship, while in others it is considered a more serious step.

Finally, some participants commented on differences in the speed of relationships, such as how quickly people become a couple or how long the talking stage lasts before dating officially.

Overall, the responses showed that participants were most surprised by differences in confession culture, exclusivity, public affection, family involvement, and relationship timelines.