TL;DR: Deal-breakers can be shaped by cultural norms and not individual truths. Values and beliefs that seem to clash at first can actually complement each other, ultimately benefiting the couple and stimulating personal growth. An issue that appears non-negotiable often involves reassessing which values truly matter to you. A deal-breaker in a romantic relationship is a value, belief, trait, or behavior that fundamentally conflicts with your own. This non-negotiable issue makes pursuing or continuing the relationship feel impossible, especially if the other person is unable or unwilling to change that aspect. Interestingly, cross-cultural dating can challenge you to rethink your deal-breakers by exposing how what you consider “non-negotiable” could be shaped by your cultural norms rather than an individual truth. When you’re dating someone from a different background, things like communication styles, family roles, gender expectations, or even views on time and affection may differ significantly. What once seemed like…
