From Texas to France: Dating, Culture Shock & Finding Yourself Abroad

What happens when a Texan swaps Southern hospitality for French directness?

In this episode host Celina Tolbert sits down with John Riojas, a Texas native now living in France, to talk about dating abroad, expat life, language learning, and the cultural differences between American and French relationships — especially within the gay dating scene.

John opens up about navigating dating apps in Texas (which he describes as “unhinged”), hookup culture, and shifting expectations around commitment. He contrasts that experience with dating in France, where communication tends to be more upfront and relationship intentions are often clarified earlier. The conversation explores what it means to date across cultures, how language shapes identity, and why learning French transformed John’s confidence and sense of belonging.

Beyond dating, this episode dives into expat life in France, breaking stereotypes in the classroom, Southern US vs. French communication styles, and the personal growth that comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. If you’ve ever dreamed of living abroad, moving to France, or navigating love in another language, this episode offers humor, honesty, and practical insight.

Topics include:

Whether you're interested in international dating, moving to France, LGBTQ+ expat experiences, or simply love conversations about cross-cultural relationships, this episode is for you.

Editor’s note: In the episode, we reference the Lyonnais slang word “gone.” To clarify, “gone” means “enfant” (child) in Lyon’s regional dialect.

In this episode host Celina Tolbert sits down with journalist and content strategist Bianca Gracie for an honest, funny, and insightful conversation about dating across cultures, languages, and continents. From the fast-paced hustle of New York dating to the romanticized (and often misunderstood) realities of dating in Paris, Bianca breaks down what love really looks like when language barriers and cultural differences come into play.

Drawing from her Jamaican heritage, experiences as a Black American woman living and traveling abroad, and deep personal connection to France, Bianca shares stories of romance, miscommunication, cultural curiosity, and the fine line between admiration and fetishization. The conversation explores how language impacts dating dynamics, including humorous “lost in translation” moments, emotional disconnects, and the challenges of expressing desire, sarcasm, and boundaries in another culture.

Together, Celina and Bianca unpack what it means to protect your self-worth in dating, set clear boundaries, and reject shame around wanting love—no matter where in the world you are. As Bianca prepares for her return to Paris, she reflects on growth, identity, and the joy (and chaos) of cross-cultural relationships.

If you’re curious about dating abroad, navigating cross-cultural relationships, or redefining romance beyond borders, this episode is a must-listen.

Keywords: dating abroad, language barriers, cultural differences, Paris dating, New York dating, cross-cultural relationships, self-worth in dating, Bianca Gracie, Celina Tolbert

In this episode of Dongs Without Borders, I’m joined by Mimi Fry , a UK-born, Paris-based content creator who has dated British, American, and French men; and has thoughts. From dry British banter to American clarity (or audacity) and the famous French approach to romance, Mimi breaks down how cultural differences shape dating, communication, and expectations in relationships.

We dive into what it’s like navigating love abroad as an expat/immigrant, how ambition and independence affect modern relationships, and whether French men truly live up to their romantic reputation. Mimi shares candid stories about dating in Paris, the lack (or presence) of “the talking stage,” and how moving countries can completely change what you want — and won’t tolerate — in a partner.

If you’ve ever dated outside your culture, moved abroad for love (or for yourself), or wondered how British, American, and French dating styles really compare, this episode is for you.

✨ Topics we cover:

Dating in the UK vs. dating abroad

American vs. French / UK relationship expectations

French dating culture and romantic stereotypes

Expat life, independence, and personal growth

Love, communication, and cultural misunderstandings

Find Mimi's social media agency here on Instagram, and check out her website here. 

In this episode, host Celina Tolbert sits down with Nicole Echeverria (NicoleInLisbon https://www.tiktok.com/@nicoleinlisbon?lang=fr ) to dive into her extraordinary love story — from meeting her husband through TikTok to building a life together across borders. Nicole opens up about the ups and downs of a long-distance, cross-cultural relationship, including navigating cultural differences, tackling language barriers, and adjusting to life together in Portugal.

Together, they explore what it really takes to make long-distance love work: strong communication, patience, and keeping high standards when it comes to relationships. Nicole also shares the unexpected twists in her journey — from a psychic soulmate drawing to planning a wedding across countries. With humor, honesty, and relatable advice, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about modern love, intercultural dating, or long-distance relationships.

In this witty and heartwarming episode of Dongs Without Borders, host Celina Tolbert ( https://www.tiktok.com/@celinaacotedeparis ) chats with Michael Carmody ( https://www.tiktok.com/@mjlanglais & https://www.instagram.com/mjanglais/ ) about his cross-border romance with his Belgian girlfriend, Coco. Their love story began with a serendipitous meeting in Spain and grew into a committed long-distance relationship, complete with monthly visits, heartfelt video calls, and a shared willingness to bridge both cultural differences and language barriers.

Michael shares how navigating two cultures has brought unexpected humor, tender moments, and the occasional “I had to Google that” scenario. From British dating habits to Belgian directness, he opens up about how language learning—in his case, French—has deepened his connection with Coco and her family. The conversation is peppered with laugh-out-loud “lost in translation” moments, reflections on love stories across borders, and thoughtful insights into how communication styles shape relationships.

Whether you’re in a long-distance romance, curious about multilingual dating, or fascinated by the quirks of Belgian culture, this episode offers both relatable laughs and valuable takeaways for anyone navigating love without borders.

Key Topics Covered:

🌍 Tags: #LongDistanceRelationship #MJLAnglais #BelgianCulture #DatingAcrossBorders #LanguageBarriers #MultilingualLove #Franglais #LoveStories #DatingHabits #LanguageLearning #CulturalDifferences

In this heartfelt and humorous episode of Dongs Without Borders, host Celina Tolbert sits down with Andie (https://www.tiktok.com/@ouiouiandie & https://www.instagram.com/ouioui_andie/ ), an American expat navigating a cross-cultural relationship with her French partner, Renaud, in the City of Light. Aptly titled "Dongs Without Delay", this episode dives deep into the reality of online dating, long-distance love, and the beautiful chaos of falling for someone from a different culture.

From their intense digital connection (“non-stop texting”) to their first sparks-filled meeting, Andie shares how a casual search for friendship turned into a committed relationship—complete with language barriers, cultural miscommunications, and dreams of raising bilingual children. Together, Celina and Andie explore the emotional intelligence gap between American and French dating, family dynamics, and what it really means to build a future across borders.

Whether you’re in a long-distance relationship, considering dating internationally, or just curious about the emotional nuances of love across cultures, this episode is packed with relatable insight, dating tips, and a few laugh-out-loud moments about being lost in translation.

Key Topics Covered:

🎧 Listen for:

🌍 Tags: #CrossCulturalRelationships #DatingAbroad #LongDistanceLove #BilingualCouples #EmotionalIntelligence #FranceDatingCulture #OnlineDatingTips #ExpatLife #InterculturalLove

In this episode of Dongs Without Borders, host Celina Tolbert sits down with Paris-based psychologist Nicole Ricken (https://www.instagram.com/theparispsychologist/) to unpack the real-life challenges of cross-cultural dating — especially for expats navigating relationships in France.

From awkward first impressions to deeper issues like communication styles, emotional boundaries, and mismatched expectations, they explore how cultural differences can shape love lives in unexpected ways. Nicole shares both personal anecdotes and professional insights from her work with international clients, highlighting the most common dating struggles expats face.

Topics include:

How cultural norms affect dating dynamics in France and beyond

Why communication breakdowns happen — and how to manage them

The role of humor, vulnerability, and therapy in building strong relationships

What self-awareness really looks like in an intercultural romance

Whether you’re dating abroad, swiping in a second language, or just curious about love across borders, this episode offers thoughtful, funny, and deeply relatable insights into the psychology of international relationships.

In this episode of Dongs Without Borders, host Celina (@CelinaACoteDeParis) explores the nuances of cross-cultural dating, sharing personal anecdotes and listener stories. She looks at the challenges and humorous moments that arise from cultural differences in relationships, particularly focusing on communication barriers and varying dating norms.