8 Dating Lessons from ‘Emily in Paris’ That Are Très Magnifique

From embracing your authentic self to discovering that the best love stories start when you stop trying to script them, here are 8 dating lessons that are très magnifique.

Netflix’s Emily in Paris might be a candy-coated version of expat life, but between the designer outfits and endless croissants, there’s actually some solid dating wisdom hidden in there. Our favorite social media maven’s romantic mishaps and triumphs in the City of Light offer up some surprisingly relatable takeaways about modern love – whether you’re dating in Paris or just dreaming about it from your couch.

Keep it real, even when it’s messy

Sure, Emily has a great Instagram and knows how to frame any situation to look picture-perfect. But her love life only starts clicking when she fully embraces her true self – awkward French pronunciation and all.   That moment when she totally butchers “vagina” at a fancy dinner was mortifying, but Gabriel found it charming because it was genuine. The takeaway is that your authentic self is way more attractive than any filtered version you’re trying to project.

The dating rulebook can change abroad

Soon after arriving in Paris, Emily learns that the French don’t exactly share American dating rules. After misreading signals about casual romances and affairs, and completely misunderstanding French relationship boundaries, she discovers dating rules vary wildly across cultures. Sure, she steps in it more times than she can count, but each awkward moment teaches her – and us – that sometimes the best connections happen when we stop trying to apply our own cultural rulebook to someone else’s game.

Office romances can get complicated

Working at Savoir throws Emily into a maze of professional and personal entanglements that would make HR lose their minds. Between client meetings turned flirtations and that whole situation with her hot downstairs neighbor/chef/client, she learns that mixing business with pleasure is different in Paris. Watching Emily navigate these tricky waters proves that sometimes the best connections happen organically, even if they’re complicated. Just maybe check your company’s dating policy before diving in, unlike our favorite impulsive American.

Perfect timing is a myth 

Emily has an electric chemistry with Gabriel. But even in the most romantic city in the world, timing isn’t always on her side. Her various romantic entanglements teach us that sometimes the right person comes at the totally wrong moment. Whether it’s career chaos, existing relationships, or personal growth getting in the way, forcing romance to fit your timeline usually backfires. The real lesson? Sometimes you have to let things simmer like a good coq au vin.

Sometimes your squad knows best

Through her romances, Emily’s friends saw red flags waving before she even noticed the flagpole. She eventually figures out that strong friendships outlast those steamy French kisses. When everything else in Paris feels confusing, her friends become her reality check and support system. It goes to show that true friends will tell you when you’re about to make a dating disaster – even if you’re not ready to hear it.

Adventure is a great matchmaker

Notice how Emily’s most exciting romantic possibilities pop up when she’s busy living her best life? Those spontaneous countryside trips, fancy fashion shows, and local jazz clubs lead to way better meet-cutes than any dating app could deliver. The lesson here? Stop overthinking your love life and start saying “oui” to new experiences. Sometimes the best relationships start when you’re not even looking for them.

Don’t discount second impressions

Remember how things started with Alfie? Not exactly a rom-com-worthy meet-cute. But their story proves that sometimes initial judgment calls need a serious reality check. Those people who rub you the wrong way at first might surprise you. Emily’s Parisian adventures show us that some of the best connections often develop slowly, without that lightning-bolt moment everyone expects.

Self-love is magnetic

Between all the romantic drama and fashion emergencies, Emily’s biggest growth happens when she stops making everything about finding love. Her career goals, personal identity, and solo adventures in Paris become the main character energy we didn’t know we needed. Turns out, building your own fabulous life makes you magnetic to potential partners. Who knew becoming your own French girl goals would be the ultimate dating power move? 🥂