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.

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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.