AsiaLIFE

Each month AsiaLIFE is going to taking to the streets of Phnom Penh to ask people what they think about burning social issues. This month Virginie Noel asks people about their worst dating experience in Phnom Penh, the advice they have for women dating in the city and why there are so few eligible expat men in the Penh.

Jessica
Worst Dating Experience
When I first came here, I was married, but then my husband slept with a prostitute. Now I’m single again.
Advice
Have fun and enjoy yourself. But if you want something meaningful go somewhere else. Find good girlfriends to spend time with instead.
No Men
People here are not even committed to being here for a long time so you can’t commit to a long-term relationship while you’re here. Meaningless sex is so easy here that not many guys are interested in something more serious.

Nina
Worst Dating Experience
I’ve definitely had a couple of bad experiences – being trapped in conversations with guys asking really intense questions way too early on. Really, I’m just into having fun.
No Men
Get over being stuck on this ratio of men to women and that it’s totally imbalanced. There are lots of great guys out there.
Advice
Lower your standards! No, no, that’s a joke! Really, stop whining about how little men there are and start looking.

Hannah
Worst Dating Experience
I try to avoid it to tell you the truth. I work and live in a guesthouse and see the way people interact there and, well, that has led me to avoid dating.
Advice
Take it easy.
No Men
The best thing to do is to go to the airport on a Tuesday afternoon and get them straight off the plane, ‘cos if you don’t do that you’ve got no hope.

Jenny
Worst Dating Experience
I’ve actually never been on a date in Phnom Penh, but I’ve had two relationships. I haven’t had a bad dating experience.
Advice
Avoid the Heart of Darkness! And be careful about the men you’re connecting with, because they’ve all got lots of dark crazy secret things going on behind the scenes.
No Men
There are decent men – you just have to figure out where they are. I met the man I am going to marry at Talkin to a Stranger, so I’d say Talkin to a Stranger is the best place. It’s a great environment to meet people.

Karen
Worst Dating Experience
I haven’t been here long, but what I’ve noticed is most guys are in their mid-forties wearing plait shirts and watches.
Advice
Leave Cambodia!
No Men
I don’t think you come to Cambodia to find a man. Do what I do and leave one behind and get him to come visit you.

Anna
Worst Dating Experience
Generally there’s a bit of ego problem. You go out with guys who think they are here saving the world, knowing everything about international politics and don’t give you a lot of airspace.
Advice
Get out of the Penh as quick as you can. Leave the country, and don’t lower the bar!
No Men
Women are more compassionate and attracted to aid work. Generally there’s just more girls in this kind of work. And I think that maybe word has gone out in the international circuit that Phnom Penh is a place to come for single women and it attracts a lot of seedy men.

Prumsodun
Worst Dating Experience
I came here knowing that I am just passing through so I avoided forming any serious romantic relationship. This can be difficult at times – I nearly broke my heart in Siem Reap but this is the price one pays for transience!
Advice
Know what the other person is looking for. Make sure it's not money.
No Men
The nightlife in Phnom Penh is small and intimate and every night seems to be a party with sex workers, tourists, expats and young Cambodians who like to have a good time. In the gay scene, a good man is rare. Expats and tourists look at the Cambodian boys like meat, Cambodian boys look at them like money and opportunity.