10 reasons why you should date (or even fall in love with) a German

The Local spoke with an American-German matchmaker based in Wiesbaden to get some (much needed) tips on dating a German. After consulting with her German clients, she came up with some sound advice on finding Teutonic bliss.

“Dating someone from another country can be quite a challenge when you live abroad, especially if you aren't familiar with the culture, the habits and the language,” Jessica Dreyer, who runs the matchmaking service US Love Wiesbaden, tells The Local. “In my position as an American-German matchmaker in Germany, I know about Americans' questions and insecurities over dating a local, but I also register the huge interest in finding a local sweetheart." Learn about compulsory German health insurance with TK here. SEE ALSO: 10 beautiful ways to express your love in German Dreyer put her head together with members of her dating service to come up with the most important reasons to date a German, and some tips on how to deal with the cultural differences. This is what the German love-seekers had to say: 1. We don't all look like Diane Kruger Diane Kruger Photo: DPA Germans are not all tall, blonde and blue-eyed like Claudia Schiffer and Diane Kruger, or Thomas Kretschmann and Ralf Möller. But don't we have a great variety of different types of women and men in Germany? 2. We always come on time When you have a date with us, you can expect us to be on time. Just the way most Germans are. 3. We like expanding our horizons Germans are open-minded about meeting new people from different nationalities. It gives us that international flavour when we have to speak English with a foreigner. We like that. Learning English in school for years was a good and important thing in the end. 4. Don't mistake shyness for disinterest When a German single is on a date with someone from abroad, we seem a little reserved or shy in the beginning because we take time to get to know someone. We are also in general not too over-excited in the way we greet you and speak with you. Don't take this for a lack of interest, it's just the way we are - a little reserved. But once we get to know you and we like you or, even better, we fall in love with you, we open up a lot. We open up our hearts by telling you about our families, our friends, and our inner thoughts. A woman holds a heart-shaped balloon. Photo DPA/ TMN 5. If you meet the friends, you're on the right track You are heading the right way if your date asks you to join them to spend time with friends at someone's house. Germans like to keep a close, intimate circle of friends. Only if she or he feels you are the right one will they invite you to accompany them to friends. 6. We don't all love sausage In Germany, we don't drink beer and wine, or eat sausage, dumplings and Schnitzel all the time. Many prefer the lighter cuisine or live veggie. We also don't all wear Dirndl and Lederhosen - outside of Bavaria, at least. You've probably noticed this by now. But of course if you want to enjoy a Maß of German beer with some traditional food, or try a regional Riesling from our beautiful vineyards, let's go for it! 7. We'll help you feel at one with your body We may be able to teach you that there's nothing wrong with getting naked at a public sauna, undressing for a relaxing day at a spa, or being topless at the beach. We love to be natural - try to loosen up! 8. German women like an old fashioned gent Most German women like a man to be a gentleman and love to be treated like a woman. Forget about the rules such as "after the third date, I should be able to expect such and such from them". That doesn't work for most Germans. It's best not to expect anything at all and relax. Just listen to our signals, body language and eyes, and then you'll understand. Photo: DPA 9. We're in it for the long-term Most Germans will date you for a much longer period of time than might happen elsewhere. We'll be in a relationship with you for many years before we decide on the next step, the big M for marriage. We also typically do not become a mum or dad before we hit 30 to 35 as a German woman, or 35 to 40 as a German guy. Learn about compulsory German health insurance with TK here. 10. When you break through the ice, the water underneath is warm Once we fall in love with you and we have butterflies in our stomach (Schmetterlinge im Bauch), we are warm-hearted, reliable and loving partners. We are no exception when it comes to the most important values in life: finding love, having a family and keeping good friends.