Important Do’s and Don't’s Of Interracial Dating: In’s and Out’s

Biracialism is slowly but surely becoming more established due to the rise in minority populations. With awareness and acceptance of dating outside of your race gradually rising, it is more important than ever to realize what you are saying and the way you act as both going to be under scrutiny. So if you are planning on interracial dating or already find yourself in a mixed-race relationship, then pay attention to our guide below. It’s perfectly fine to have new types and fresh preferences, but let us help you if you don’t know what you are doing.

The Do’s Of Interracial Dating: What You Should Do

DO Accept That Not Everyone Will Agree:

Whether this is your family, friends, peers, or the general public, there will be some folk that do not want to see interracial couples. You cannot avoid that, but it doesn’t mean it’s ok. Tolerance and understanding are not universal, but you should prepare yourself that certain people will not approve. Some may even not hesitate to tell you that. Fearing that your partner won’t be instantly accepted shouldn’t stop you from telling people you care about. Don’t let naive opinions spoil your relationship but brace yourself to disagree. Everything should be only your choice, not the imprint of someone else’s prejudices.

DO Draw The Line:

This could be said of any relationship, but it is especially important to set boundaries and lay out where your comfort zone is in terms of what is appropriate and what is not. Sensitive subjects, when not approached, can ruin everything. So be clear with whoever you need to be where the line is in terms of jokes, comments, or even discussion and personal questions.

DO Make Your Feelings known:

If you have a particular stance on something like racial politics, then make it known. If you shy away from something on the grounds of racism, then it will come back to haunt you later on. Don’t sacrifice passion or belief in something just to keep somebody happy. Be open and honest from the beginning and remain polite and respectful of your partner’s views if they contrast yours. It works well in any kinds of relations, not only intimate.

DO Stick Together:

If one of you is under attack, be it verbally or physically, because of the nature of your interracial relationship, then do not let them battle alone. Whatever the trouble is, show a united front against discrimination and fight against it together. Creating such unity is a great solution for any kind of life situation.

The Don't’s Of Interracial Dating: What You Should Avoid

DON’T: Ignore Your Partner’s Identity:

If the person you’re dating identifies with a specific race, embrace it. It is likely to be very meaningful, if not to them, then their family. So the quicker you are on board with their background and ethnicity, the quicker you will be accepted.

DON’T: Put Off Talking to Your Families

Talking of families, it is worth giving them a pre-warning of the interracial relationship before meeting the person you are dating. Sometimes, even if it is not apparent to you with yours, families can have deep prejudices that have never risen to the surface and may want their children to honor tradition by sticking with their own race. For the comfort of all, a general discussion pre-meeting is advisable.

DON’T: Tolerate Illegitimate Morals:

Now, this covers a few different areas, which are all unfortunately true. Certain people are keen on interracial dating for the wrong reasons, some of which are particularly immoral and shallow. These include; ‘trying you out’ (because of your skin color, e.g., never been with a black girl before) and even worse, because they like the idea of mixed-race babies after seeing a few cute pictures on Instagram. These should obviously be avoided at all costs and will make you realize there is a fine line between brutal honesty and total ignorance unless you want to find yourself in toxic relations, of course.

DON’T: Stereotype, Fetishize or Eroticize Nationality/Race/Ethnicity

Try any of these and you will treading on extremely thin ice and will probably be single again shortly after. Respect your partner’s ethnicity and race, learn about their nationality and never use them to gain favor in any capacity. Stereotypes are often fictional or greatly exaggerated for a better story, so forget what you have heard, read, or seen and focus on the person you are dating, whatever cultural history they have.