Meeting the Parents... help!!!
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Meeting the Parents... help!!!
| Thu, 11-11-2004 - 2:16pm |
I have been dating my boyfriend for three months now and he wants me to fly to his hometown and meet his parents. I would like any advice, from girlfriends or mothers... whoever. I want to make a good impression but don't want to overdo it. I've never been nervous to meet parents, but I really want it to go well this time. Also, I know that one usually brings a gift for the parents, but being that I am going to traveling, I can't bring a basket or anything too big. Any suggestions? I appreciate any tips, suggestions, or advice... on anything! Thank you so much!

I agree that being yourself is the best and ONLY good option.
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#1 - Be yourself, but also be courteous. - Remember that they are his parents and not yours - you may have a different relationship - more jokey and cordial. I was respectful and acted very mature. Especially as you are being invited into their home, be respectful of them at all times - no matter if they are around or not (ie: if you will be staying in their home during this time.)
#2 Wear dark clothes to dinner. - I went out to dinner with my ex-boyfriend and his parents, kind of a last minute thing too. I ended up ordering spaghetti and dropping half of it down the front of my shirt. I made a joke out of it and things were fine - didn't let it show how embarassed I was about it. It was worse as I had a white shirt on. I would suggest wearing dark clothes - if you drop something on you during dinner, it won't show as much.
#3 - Don't try to be the center of attention - it will look like you are trying to hard.
#4 - Remember the brothers/sisters. Just because you are meeting the parents, doesn't mean you also won't be judged by any other family members that he has. When I went, I thought we were originally going to eat with his sister and her b-friend at the time. It ended up being her, the boyfriend, the mother, mother's b-friend, his other sister, his son..so I was bombarded all at once. I was just as nice and polite to everyone equally. He told he later in the night that he was impressed by how much I talked with his once sister (she's mentally challenged). That meant a lot to him.
Yes, overall - be yourself. And yes, it's ok to be nervous - we all are. But if he likes you so will the parents.