Meeting
His Parents
"Would you like to meet my parents?"
Gulp.
Meeting
his family for the first time can
be more nerve-racking than going on
your first date. What if they don't
like me? What if I don't like them?
What if I say something wrong? These
and many more questions will be flying
around your head. Don't worry we have
some useful tips for surviving the
introduction with your in-laws.
First
Impressions matter
Go girl this guy must be serious if
he wants you to meet his parents.
But remember first impressions are
very important. If his parents take
a dis-liken to you on your first encounter
they may never accept you and if they
do it could take a long time.
Get
wise
Find
out as much as you can about his family
by asking him questions about them
such as, has there been any recent
deaths that you could avoid. The last
thing you want is to tell them that
you want to diving if his uncle has
just been eating by a shark. (I know
it ain`t likely but it is just hypothetical
OK.) And if you know that his parents
are very conservative, you may want
to cover up that tattoo or temporarily
remove that nose ring - or at least
have your partner warn them of your
body art - before meeting them.
Until
you have got to the point of calling
them mum an dad try to steer clear
of any family disputes or differences
of opinions. Keep
Long
before you meet his parents, talk
with your boyfriend about what he
wants out of the visit, letting him
share what to address and avoid. "He
needs to prepare you and support you
there.
Think
of questions you would like to ask
them. After all it is not just about
them liking you, you also have to
like them they could be your future
in-laws. Talk about current events,
and target their interests or careers.
House
guest etiquette
If
you are staying at their home for
a night or a few days show them a
token of appreciation by offering
them a bouquet of flowers or a potted
plant.
Take
a bottle of wine to dinner (check
with your partner that they drink
first. They might be recovering alcoholics
and you don't want to get them back
on the band wagon do you?)
If you are a vegetarian make sure
you let them know before hand. Make
sure you EAT all or at least most
of your dinner. You don't want to
offend them.
Most important don't over do the booze.
The last thing you want to do is get
drunk and slag off his mother's cooking.
Where
to sleep
Although
the two of you may share a bed when
you're on home turf, while at his
parents' place, they might not go
for that sort of thing so do respect
his parents wishes. (Well at least
until they are a sleep then sneak
into his room for a quickie. But make
sure you don't fall a sleep in his
bed or you may get caught and that
won`t do you any good when trying
to score some brownie points.)
What
if they hate me?
Keep in mind
that his parents are just as anxious
as you are and that they will be thinking
exactly the same questions.
While
it's normal to want to be popular
with potential in-laws, be open to
the fact that you may not "click."
Do not expect to build an instant
bond with them, but instead try to
help them be at ease with you, opening
the door for a warm encounter the
next time you get together.
