“God is up to something. There is a reason why you went through what you went through. Trust the process. He’s got you.”
Our first male interviewee is a southern gentleman and my brother from another. I’m so excited that he participated in sharing his story and perspective through my platform. I truly believe you all will enjoy this read as much as I enjoyed doing the interview.
Tell Us Who You Are!
My name is Timothy Hughes. I am from Chester, SC. I am the fourth child of 7 children. I attended South Carolina State University where I received a Bachelors in Elementary Education and went on to receive a Masters of Education from Columbia College. I’m currently working in Abu Dhabi in the Middle East, teaching at an all boy Cycle 1 School. I am a God-fearing man and love being around my family. I’m optimistic, humorous, and adventurous. My desire is to find a woman that compliments who I am as a man and feeds my soul.
How long have you lived abroad?ALMOST 2 YEARS
Is this your first time living abroad? (If not where else have you lived?)
YES
What was your relationship status when moving to the UAE?
SINGLE
How long has it been since you were last in a relationship?
ABOUT A YEAR IN A HALF
Why are you not currently in a relationship?
BECAUSE I MADE THE MISTAKE OF BELIEVING A RELATIONSHIP ABROAD WOULD NOT WORK FOR ME.
What were your desires, anticipations and wants about relationships, dating or otherwise when moving to the UAE?
I CAME HERE WITH THE IDEA THAT I WAS GOING TO MAKE MONEY, TRAVEL AND SEE THE WORLD. I HAD NO INTENTIONS ABOUT DATING WHILE LIVING HERE. IN MY MIND, I WAS THINKING THIS MOVE IS NOT PERMANENT, SO, WHY WASTE TIME GETTING INVOLVED WITH SOMEONE WHEN IT IS NOT GOING TO LAST.
Since moving to the UAE have you dated?
YES
How is dating in the UAE? How does it differ from dating back home?DATING IN THE UAE HAS BEEN LIMITED FOR ME. I HAVE ONLY DATED ONCE, AND THAT IS BECAUSE I WAS NOT OPEN TO THE WHOLE IDEA OF DATING. I HAD THE NOTION THAT ABU DHAB WAS JUST A CITY TO HAVE FUN, WHERE CELEBRITIES VACATION AND YOU JUST LIVE IN THE MOMENT. I WAS NOT LOOKING FOR ANY TYPE OF COMMITMENT OR ANYTHING. THE GOAL WAS TO NETWORK, TO MAKE MONEY, AND TO TRAVEL THIS WORLD. BACK HOME I WAS DEFINITELY OPEN BECAUSE I WAS COMFORTABLE AND MORE AWARE OF THE WOMEN IN MY COMMUNITY AND THE WOMEN BACK HOME WERE SETTLED INTO THEIR CAREERS AND AREAS WHERE THEY WANTED TO WORK, LIVE, AND START FAMILIES.
Do you find that the pool of accessible women as big or small? (How does this play as an advantage or disadvantage?)
THERE IS A LARGE POOL OF WOMEN HERE. DURING MY FIRST COUPLE OF DAYS HERE IN THE ORIENTATION SEMINARS FOR THE COMPANY I WORK FOR, I REMEMBER BEING 1 OF MAYBE 5 MEN IN A ROOM FULL OF ABOUT 30 PLUS WOMEN. THE WOMEN ARE DEFINITELY OUT HERE, AND THAT IS AN ADVANTAGE FOR A LOT OF MEN. FOR ME, IT’S LIMITED TO FINDING SOMEONE ON THE SPIRITUAL LEVEL THAT I REQUIRE AND JUST CONNECTING WITH THEM PERSONALLY, AND THAT IS NOT EASY. I DON’T WANT SOMETHING FORCED OR ANYTHING, JUST SOMETHING THAT WORKS. I DO NOT WANT TO SETTLE FOR SOMEONE JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE WILLING AND AVAILABLE.
What are the difficulties in dating abroad?
FOR ME, FINDING SOMEONE THAT I LIKE. I HAVE MET A LOT OF WOMEN WHILE BEING ABROAD, BUT MOST OF WHICH I’M NOT INTERESTED IN. THEY ARE GREAT WOMEN, AND I HAVE BEFRIENDED A LOT OF THEM, BUT THEY HAVE JUST NOT BEEN A FIT FOR ME.
What are your reservations about dating while living abroad if any?
I USE TO HAVE RESERVATIONS MY FIRST YEAR LIVING ABROAD BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING I FELT WOULD NOT WORK FOR ME, BUT NOW I DO NOT HAVE ANY RESERVATIONS. IF GOD ALLOWS SOMEONE TO CROSS MY PATH THAT CATCHES MY ATTENTION AND INTEREST, I WILL PURSUE, AS I DID THAT ONE TIME BEFORE.
What is your relationship status now?SINGLE
What are your relationship goals? How do they or do they not align with your goals of living abroad?
MY RELATIONSHIP GOALS ARE TO FIND A WOMAN THAT COMPLIMENTS ME, AND SOMEONE THAT I CAN SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH AS MY WIFE, CONFIDANT, AND BEST FRIEND. THESE GOALS DO NOT ALIGN WITH MY GOALS FOR LIVING ABROAD BECAUSE AGAIN I CAME HERE TO TRAVEL AND BECOME MORE FINANCIALLY SECURE.
What do you look for in a woman?
I WANT A WOMAN THAT HAS A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION WITH GOD, LOVING, CARING, HONEST, EDUCATED, AMBITIOUS, AND FUN. I WANT A WOMAN THAT LIKES TO TRY NEW THINGS AND DOES NOT MIND GETTING HER HANDS DIRTY. I ALSO WANT A WOMAN THAT IS FAMILY-ORIENTED AND ALSO DOES NOT MIND CATERING TO HER MAN.
Is being single abroad lonely?
SOMETIMES IT CAN BE, BUT NETWORKING AND BUILDING NEW FAMILY AND FRIEND RELATIONSHIPS HELP.
Is there a lot to do or occupy your time as a single man abroad? (Explain what you do?)
THERE ARE THINGS HERE IN THE UAE THAT CAN OCCUPY YOUR TIME. ABU DHABI AND DUBAI MAY BE THE WEALTHIEST CITIES IN THE WORLD AND EVERYONE COMES HERE TO HAVE AN AMAZING TIME. THERE IS A MAJOR SOCIAL SCENE HERE, ESPECIALLY IN DUBAI. SO YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM MANY CLUBS, BARS, AND ROOFTOP LOUNGES IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO HAVE A FUN NIGHT. THERE ARE MANY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO SUCH AS SKYDIVING, JET SKIING, KAYAKING, DESERT SAFARIS, PARTYING ON YACHTS, YOU NAME IT. I SPEND A LOT OF TIME WORKING OUT IN THE GYM AND CATCHING UP ON SOME READING AND BINGE WATCHING TV SHOWS. THERE ALSO ARE DIFFERENT LOCAL SPORTS LEAGUES YOU CAN JOIN AS WELL SUCH AS RUGBY, FOOTBALL, AND BASKETBALL.
Do you find that it is easier to date abroad or back home?
BACK HOME IS DEFINITELY EASIER. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE THIS COUNTRY IS STILL FOREIGN TO ME IN MANY WAYS, AND THE WOMEN I WOULD DATE HERE ARE MAINLY HERE FOR WORK OR TRAVELING OPPORTUNITIES, IT IS DIFFICULT TO CULTIVATE SOMETHING REAL WHEN PEOPLE ARE ONLY HERE TEMPORARY.
Do you find that women are more accessible and or open or willing to date than back home?
I FEEL WOMEN ARE MORE WILLING AND OPEN TO DATE HERE BECAUSE THE DATING POOL OF MEN IS SMALL AND WOMEN GET LONELY AT TIMES AND WANT THAT COMPANIONSHIP.
Do you take relationships abroad seriously? Why or why not?
LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS DATING A LOVELY YOUNG LADY, I DID NOT TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND IT COST ME OUR RELATIONSHIP. I HAD THE MENTALITY THAT “IM NOT TRYING TO GET LOCKED DOWN” AND UNFORTUNATELY IT ENDED WHAT WE HAD. ONCE I REFLECTED, I REALIZED, THAT WAS A MISTAKE, AND NOW IM EMBRACING WHATEVER DATING OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF.
Do you think that you would deal with some of the women that you have been approached by or dealt with if you were back home? Why or Why not?
I HAVE ONLY DATED ONE WOMAN WHILE HERE, AND I DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE DATED HER, PROBABLY MARRIED HER IF WE WERE BACK HOME. THIS WOMAN WAS AWESOME, AND SHE STILL IS. SHE JUST HAD ALL THE QUALITIES THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.
Would you consider a long distance relationship?
A LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP IS SOMETHING I WOULD NOT WANT TO DO, BUT IM LEARNING THE OLDER I GET AND THE MORE LIFE EXPERIENCES THAT I HAVE, YOU JUST NEVER KNOW.
Would you consider dating outside of your norm? (Race, culture, religion etc?)
RACE- YES
NATIONALITY- YES
CULTURE- YES
POLITICAL BELIEFS- YES
RELIGION- NO, IT JUST WOULD NOT WORK. I AM A STRONG FAITH-DRIVEN PERSON
Timmy! This was definitely a great interview. I think that you give a distinct perspective from the aspect of being a single man. I appreciate your openness and honesty during this interview. I know that you will find the perfect woman to compliment your awesomeness. Please continue to be an example positivity and light. I wish you many blessings, peace, and love on your journey.
To my readers,
Thank you for your continued support. Please like, share and comment. (Your feedback is important to me).
Follow your dreams & keep the positivity meter at 100!
Stay Traveling,
Tia
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