Meeting your girlfriend's
parents for the first time?
Worried about making a good impression on your in-laws to
be? Make sure you put your best foot forward with our advice
about meeting your girlfriend's parents for the first time
It's a nail-biting occasion. You've wowed your partner and they are halfway to
being yours but there's one potential obstacle - the in-laws to be. You need
to meet your girlfriend's parents and get them to like you but how on Earth do
you do that? Here are some simple suggestions to help you get through a taxing
time.
First of all, and like any problem, analyse what you are trying to achieve.
This is not as obvious as it sounds. Your girlfriend's parents may be real
stick-in-the-muds who don't believe in anything modern, they may have strong
and unreasonable prejudices, they may not even be very nice people. Remember
that you are not there to change their opinions, make lifetime friends or to
persuade them to change their ways. You are there to impress them sufficiently
to not give your girlfriend a hard time when she tells them she is seeing you.
How do you do this? What can you do to make them trust their little girl
into your care? If they are good parents, they are going to be very suspicious
of you and your intentions. Here's what you can do to allay their fears.
Dress smartly
Have a long shower and wear smart-casual clothing as it will show that you
have taken the trouble with your appearance. It is also a sign of respect.
Make sure that what you decide to wear neither has stains nor is likely to
show any should you have a little accident with food. In the minds of your
girlfriend's parents, smart dress means upwardly-mobile so persuade them you
have prospects by looking the part.
Have a present for both parents
Find out what they like from your girlfriend and then take along a little
something for each parent. Don't overdo it as that will make it look like
you've more money than sense and it may put make their hospitality look
cheapskate. Instead, stick for something they can enjoy with a clear
conscience.
Be manly
A firm handshake which is neither 'wet-lettuce' nor 'Terminator' style will
impress your future father-in-law. He wants his daughter to date a man's man
not a wuss and this will help convince him of that. It's never easy to know
how to greet a woman - take your lead from her. If she goes to hug you,
respond enthusiastically. If she kisses you on the cheek, do so back to her
and, perhaps, gently flirt with her while you do so.
Be friendly and smile
No matter how miserable and unwelcoming they might be, you need to keep
smiling throughout. Either they will warm to you and clutch you to their bosom
or you will demonstrate resilience by showing them you cannot be got down by
their ill moods. If it is the latter, your girlfriend will be proud of you for
'keeping your pecker up'.
Chat them up
Nobody likes a show-off but if you sit in their house sullen and silent,
you will go down like a lead balloon. You need to strike a balance between a
babbling fool and a miserable git. Have a few funny anecdotes prepared about
yourself and your family - preferably ones your girlfriend doesn't know. Apart
from being entertaining, it will show you are human.
Fit in
It doesn't matter if you hate Christmas stuff, never attend a birthday
party or would have nightmares about hunting for Easter eggs. If that is what
your girlfriend's family do, then you do it, too.