8 Tips for Meeting Your Partner's Parents

Here are some tips that will help when it comes to meeting your partner's parents. You may be a bit nervous, but all you can do is just relax, and get to know everyone. It's important to have a good time, and enjoy your company. You definitely want to make a good impression, so here's some great tips from personal experience that will help you in this situation:

1) Find out what you can about their parents.
This will help during conversation, and will also give you an idea of what their parents like or don't like. The person that would know the best about this is your partner. So a good idea would be to ask them a couple questions ahead of time. Ask if their parents and you might have anything in common, what they do for a living, what sports they're interested in, etc. This will not only help you get to know them better, but will also help you to avoid doing anything that they may not like. Also ask about the ex. Ask if there's anything they did not like about them, and ask if there's anything that they did that bugged them. So that way you know what you're dealing with, and what to avoid.

2) Be prepared for any questioning.
The thing that people do most when they meet someone new, is to ask questions. Of course when they meet you, they'll want to find out more about you, and "Inspect" you to see if you're good for daughter/son. Be honest, and be ready for questions such as "What do plan to achieve in college?", etc.

3) Buying a gift doesn't hurt.
Who doesn't love gifts? They'll love you even more probably. It shows that you care, and that you're actually trying to make an effort to make a good impression. Nothing expensive, just something simple. Bring them something small such as chocolates, or a candle is a great gift too. If they like wine, then there's another good idea.

4) Arrive on time.
No one likes somebody who can't be some where on time. Show that you are a responsible person, by caring about being on time. Doing something this simple will earn extra brownie points. Don't show up in their driveway blasting your stereo. If you're bringing your girlfriend along, remember to open the door for her.

5) Use appropriate language.
They won't like you if you're a potty mouth. Don't curse around your boyfriend/girlfriend's parents because they will see it as being too confident/comfortable with yourself. Which means they'll think you have no consideration for other people. When you walk into someone else's house, you need to show some respect.

6) Use your manners.
This is kindergarten stuff. When you meet them, say "Nice to meet you", "How are you today?". Use your basic manners such as "Please", "Thank you", "No thank you". Also address them as "Ma'am" or "Sir". They will appreciate it, and see that you have some form of respect. When you leave, make sure you make your farewell good. "It was nice to meet you" is a good start. You should also add on to it with a compliment, such as "You have a nice house", "Dinner was great", "Thanks for letting me come over".

If you're having dinner over their house, offer help with the dishes or cleanup after wards. Also compliment the dinner, even if it wasn't the greatest. Show that you're thankful anyways. Don't just sit there with a dumb look on your face, at least try to make a good impression on them. If you don't, then oh well, at least you tried!

7) Be nice to your partner.
It is important to be nice to their parents, but the person you're really trying to impress is your partner. As my parents say, "Anyone that makes my daughter happy makes me happy", and it's true. Be nice to her, but don't be all over her. Do not excessively touch her, or make out with her in front of everyone. Cuddling, hugging, etc. is okay.

8) Converse with them well.
Ask them questions, such as "What do you do for a living?", "So how did you guys meet?", "Do you watch any sports?", etc. Be confident in yourself while you're talking to them. Learn something about them, and tell them a little bit about yourself. Don't be shy when it comes to talking to them. One day, they may even become your in laws!

Hope I helped! Good luck meeting your S.O.'s partners!