Originally Posted by orange
I wasn't sure where to ask this question, so I hope this is an appropriate category...
I am a 26 year old woman, in a committed relationship. As a hobby, I have several pen pals from around the world, male and female. When I first "meet" a prospective pen pal, I always make it perfectly clear that I am not interested in a romantic relationship, just friendship and an exchange of ideas / cultures. Usually this is no problem, but I am noticing a trend with African pen pals... they all seem to want a romantic relationship, even though they don't know me at all and have been told I am "attached". For example, the other day I received a letter from a new pen pal in Uganda. In the 2 page letter, this man tells me nothing about himself or his family, just says over and over again how much he misses me and that he knows I am the one for him, that we were destined to be together, etc, etc... I have received similar letters from African men in Ghana, Nigeria... even African men studying abroad in Europe. I have yet to get a "serious" friendship letter from any man on the African continent.
I have no trouble with men in other places... I have male penpals in Jamaica, Thailand, the Canary Islands, India... but they are all respectful and just friends. I also have female penpals from Africa and they are fine too. I hate to give up on all male pen pals in Africa, but I've had so many bad experiences. What I'm wondering is, why is this??? Is it a cultural thing? A language barrier? I'm really stumped as to why African men are the only ones I have trouble with. I am not at all racist and feel awkward about asking, but if anyone can enlighten me I'd really appreciate it!