Race and dating

I read an article in the NY Times that looked at the phenomenon of race and dating in speed dating sessions, from a scientific point of view, and discovered some interesting things about the motives behind a persons choice for a mate in relation to their race. For example, the study showed that men of all races normally will date women of any race, socio-economic background and education. Women on the other hand are more inclined to date within their own race, with black American women being the least likely to date outside their race. The article interestingly enough also goes on to ask their women subjects how much money would the other mate have to make before their opinions about dating them would change, in essence how much extra would they need to make before they are viewed as equal to a man of the same race. Very interesting stats on what people say in relation to what they actually do.

This post is mainly directed at people that have dated before or regularly date outside their "race." Any advantages/disadvantages for your specific race in relation to the men/women you date? Any particular areas you like to go to in relation to your race and the dating scene? Any particular country? For example, is there an area or scene that makes it easier/harder for you to go about dating people from another race. Being a person who has almost exclusively dated outside their race for a number of years, I see pro's and con's to it. I know this is a "bummer" topic to some people as it's better to just ignore the elephant in the room, but for others it's something that comes up all the time, especially people who are in an "interracial relationship." I wanted to get the opinion of people who regularly date outside their race. I'd like to know your opinion on the article, what you think about race and dating, and your biggest complaint about dating in regards to your race. Any strengths or weaknesses you have when dating a person from another race?

I personally think that dating outside your race is awesome. I've been doing it since left my local community and it's made me a stronger person for sure. And, I know stuff from just about every race out there. It's a win/win situation for me.

I'd like to look at this from an scientific point of view, so no soapbox drama. However, the main point here is to see if people are really influenced by race when choosing/pursuing a mate, and some of the positive and negative influences they have when choosing. Naturally I'm going to expect some kind of negative feedback to this uneasy but plausible topic. It's totally ok to not like to date someone outside your race, as it's also ok to like to do so.

Thanks.

http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/0...s-seeking-whom/
http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/0...same-race-male/

It will be helpful if you could define what kind of race you are talking about...

is it just black vs. white or fine tuned to be more specific, like cultural background, religion, where people grew up etc???

I thought I was very clear. A different race is someone who is not of your race.

I consider ugly people to be not of my race. Is that ok?

I like to date doods belonging to the human race.
and have never dated an elephant, in a room or outside in the open air.

I had a date with a black* guy once and got to hear all the prejudices blacks have about whites, plus a lot about how blacks talk about themselves. He was a nice guy, too bad he moved back to the US. I would have introduced him to my family without batting an eyelid. After having married a German they may even have been relieved.

*We agreed that if he calls me white I get to call him black.

I don't think I have ever dated anyone of my race (human race excepted, well apart from once and then I am sure she was a Martian or something) anyway as my race is English/Welsh/Irish/Italian/French/probably some Scandinavian in there and a touch of Patagonian on my Maternal Grandmothers side.
Not many of my race about to date.

Race doesn't matter to me. As long as he keeps himself clean, wasn't an asshole, and gave me earth-shaking orgasms I was happy. The guy I chose to be with for the rest of my life happened to be caucasian.

I find that I usually leave the fighting to the armed forces. In that context I believe the animosity between the Navy and the Marines to be the largest. Odd since they are the ones most often on boats together. Maybe that much time spent together is the issue or maybe the idea that after all that time together knowing you will have to eventually separate is the issue.

Speaking of which I like that word "maybe". it leaves all possibilities open. "Can you get the laundry done?"

"Maybe."

"Can you pick up a six pack on the way home?"

"Maybe"

"Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife blah blah blah until the day you die?"

"Maybe" Actually that is not accepted but that would be sweet if it was.

Anyway I am thinking if I adopt a kid I will name them Mary Elizabeth and call them Maybe for short.

What elephant? Race isn't a negative factor when it comes to picking a mate - if anything it's gonna be a plus. Always interested in the new/different. Variety is the spice of life and novelty's a turn on

Awesome replies!

Oh and before I forget, the term "race" is one that just about every country in the world uses. I admit that I hate it, but it's a necessary way of classification. For those who are confused by what "race" they are, just ask a government official in your home country, or if you do online dating look at what race you've classified on your profile

I'm happy to talk about the elephant. I'm an American female of African parents, which is of course totally different from African-American. That said, I grew up in a part of Virginia that is about 95% white. I've always been attracted almost exclusively to white guys and have only ever dated white guys. This was partially due to the fact that my African parents looked down on African American males, partially due to the fact that after my mom divorced my dad when I was 12, she never stopped reminding me that African guys are awful, and partially due to the fact that I just found myself having more in common with white people and just being more sociallly comfortable with white people. I don't look at black guys, or South American guys or Asian Guys for that matter (with the exception of Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift, awful movie, amazingly attractive Japanese men). My attraction really is restricted to white guys of European decent. All that said, being in Germany has made me very concious of my race, I don't know how often a guy will approach me in a bar and say I've never been with a black girl. Now I don't know how many girls would positively respond to that pick-up line, but it certainly doesn't make me feel special, and because more often than not this is how I'm approached, I'm always susipicious of white guys who approach me here, even when they don't say that because I'm sure they are thinking it and it genuinely bothers me that they see me as some kind of "to do" on their bucket list.

My two cents.

Worth remembering to add that into any opener. Hi, how you a-doin'? I've been with loads and loads of black girls so don't think that's why I'm approaching you now. It's actually because you've got the cutest ass I've seen all night. Now, can you suck a golf-ball through 6ft of garden hose?

I am caucasian, have dated men of many different races. Only a German would put up with me in marriage. As with Sara, dating black men proved interesting in terms of hearing their prejudices against white people. That got old real quick.

@Keydeck
If that had been said from the get go we could have had a beautiful thing...