Being a patient and well-organized type, she sees online dating as a great way to vet suitors properly.

“Maybe I’ve been looking in the wrong places, but online dating hasn’t really caught on here." But then, in a country where every social interaction can turn into a flirt, perhaps the answer is to put your phone away and start up a conversation with the person next to you. My first date was with Elvio, a sassy, floppy-haired graphic designer who played in a band.We met on a warm evening in June at a stylish bar set in the courtyard of a Rome villa. Valentine’s Day is almost upon us and I’m writing this fresh from an offer of marriage. But as with many things in Italy, dating etiquette on the app seemed to be anything but fast.My suitor made his proposal while I was having a coffee on Sunday morning. Once you’ve dismissed all the half-naked selfies with a swift swipe to the left and matched with someone who looks appealing, it takes a little time to move beyond the “Ciao principessa!