Meeting the Parents - Selling Yourself to Your Boyfriend"s Parents
Meeting your boyfriend's parents is a critical step in the dating process, and most women are worried about making a good impression.
How can you increase the chances that your boyfriend's parents will approve of you? Try to implement some of the following tips.
1.
Wait until it's the right time.
Meeting your boyfriend's parents is a big step to take in the relationship.
Before making this leap, you should evaluate your relationship.
Is it the right time to meet them? How long have you been dating? Are you in an exclusive relationship or are you still dating other people? 2.
Suggest meeting at a neutral location.
The first time that you meet the parents may be easier if you meet at a restaurant instead of someone's home.
They may insist that you meet at their home.
But if you have any say in the location, you may want to suggest a place where you might be more comfortable.
3.
Prepare for the meeting.
When you go on a job interview, you research the company and look over your resume.
Apply this determination to this important situation.
Ask you boyfriend what his parents are like and what they like to be called.
Do they usually want people to call them by their first names? Ask questions about times in the past when your boyfriend's parents have met his girlfriends.
Did they ask a lot of questions? What went well and what went wrong? Learn from these experiences.
Prepare yourself for questions.
They're probably going to want to learn about you, since you're dating their son.
Know how you'll answer questions regarding your career, family, hobbies, culture, beliefs, and interests.
If you have a topic that you want to avoid, let your boyfriend know, so he can help divert attention if the topic arises.
4.
Dress to impress.
This is not the time to pull out your miniskirt and tube top that you wear to the clubs on Friday night.
But you don't have to buy a conservative outfit that you would never really wear.
Pick something from your wardrobe that covers up the necessary areas but shows your personality.
Jazz it up with accessories.
Also, it wouldn't hurt to get your nails done and hair cut before meeting his parents.
This is not the day to skip your shower or forget to brush your hair.
Put yourself together as you would if you were going on a first date without showing your cleavage.
5.
Bring a small present.
You should bring a gift for them, especially if they've invited you into their home.
Ask your boyfriend for suggestions.
If he doesn't have any, here are a few: · Nice bottle of wine in a wine gift bag.
Make sure that his parents drink wine if you choose this gift.
· Plant or Flowers.
This is a conventional gift that many parents would appreciate; however, it isn't very creative.
· Box of chocolates or offer to bring dessert.
· Family board game that you can all play together.
Even if your boyfriend tells you that you don't need to bring a present, you should.
It's good manners and shows your caring nature.
6.
Punctuality counts.
Whatever time you decide to meet, be there on time.
This is not the day to run late.
Being on time will give his parents the impression that you are responsible and dependable.
7.
Don't bring up controversial topics.
Avoid politics, religion, sex, and newsworthy topics that can be debated.
Some people are extremely passionate about their beliefs and may be inappropriate the first time that you meet his parents.
8.
Ask them questions.
Don't put them on trial, but ask them some questions about themselves.
You want to show them that you're interested in getting to know them.
Beforehand, ask your boyfriend if there are any topics that you should avoid asking his parents about.
You'd want to know if his father recently lost his job or if the family pet recently passed away.
9.
Tell them a couple stories about your boyfriend.
Parents love to hear stories about their own kids.
This will show that you care about their son.
Tell them the story of when you found out that he had been promoted or the amazing surprise birthday party that he threw for you last month.
Don't put him down in front of his parents or tell embarrassing stories during the first time that you meet them.
Follow these tips and you'll be sure to make an impression on his parents.
Just remember that if they don't seem open to you during that first meeting, they are probably overprotective and want their son to be happy.
If you continue to show them that you are good for their son, they'll warm up to you over time.
How can you increase the chances that your boyfriend's parents will approve of you? Try to implement some of the following tips.
1.
Wait until it's the right time.
Meeting your boyfriend's parents is a big step to take in the relationship.
Before making this leap, you should evaluate your relationship.
Is it the right time to meet them? How long have you been dating? Are you in an exclusive relationship or are you still dating other people? 2.
Suggest meeting at a neutral location.
The first time that you meet the parents may be easier if you meet at a restaurant instead of someone's home.
They may insist that you meet at their home.
But if you have any say in the location, you may want to suggest a place where you might be more comfortable.
3.
Prepare for the meeting.
When you go on a job interview, you research the company and look over your resume.
Apply this determination to this important situation.
Ask you boyfriend what his parents are like and what they like to be called.
Do they usually want people to call them by their first names? Ask questions about times in the past when your boyfriend's parents have met his girlfriends.
Did they ask a lot of questions? What went well and what went wrong? Learn from these experiences.
Prepare yourself for questions.
They're probably going to want to learn about you, since you're dating their son.
Know how you'll answer questions regarding your career, family, hobbies, culture, beliefs, and interests.
If you have a topic that you want to avoid, let your boyfriend know, so he can help divert attention if the topic arises.
4.
Dress to impress.
This is not the time to pull out your miniskirt and tube top that you wear to the clubs on Friday night.
But you don't have to buy a conservative outfit that you would never really wear.
Pick something from your wardrobe that covers up the necessary areas but shows your personality.
Jazz it up with accessories.
Also, it wouldn't hurt to get your nails done and hair cut before meeting his parents.
This is not the day to skip your shower or forget to brush your hair.
Put yourself together as you would if you were going on a first date without showing your cleavage.
5.
Bring a small present.
You should bring a gift for them, especially if they've invited you into their home.
Ask your boyfriend for suggestions.
If he doesn't have any, here are a few: · Nice bottle of wine in a wine gift bag.
Make sure that his parents drink wine if you choose this gift.
· Plant or Flowers.
This is a conventional gift that many parents would appreciate; however, it isn't very creative.
· Box of chocolates or offer to bring dessert.
· Family board game that you can all play together.
Even if your boyfriend tells you that you don't need to bring a present, you should.
It's good manners and shows your caring nature.
6.
Punctuality counts.
Whatever time you decide to meet, be there on time.
This is not the day to run late.
Being on time will give his parents the impression that you are responsible and dependable.
7.
Don't bring up controversial topics.
Avoid politics, religion, sex, and newsworthy topics that can be debated.
Some people are extremely passionate about their beliefs and may be inappropriate the first time that you meet his parents.
8.
Ask them questions.
Don't put them on trial, but ask them some questions about themselves.
You want to show them that you're interested in getting to know them.
Beforehand, ask your boyfriend if there are any topics that you should avoid asking his parents about.
You'd want to know if his father recently lost his job or if the family pet recently passed away.
9.
Tell them a couple stories about your boyfriend.
Parents love to hear stories about their own kids.
This will show that you care about their son.
Tell them the story of when you found out that he had been promoted or the amazing surprise birthday party that he threw for you last month.
Don't put him down in front of his parents or tell embarrassing stories during the first time that you meet them.
Follow these tips and you'll be sure to make an impression on his parents.
Just remember that if they don't seem open to you during that first meeting, they are probably overprotective and want their son to be happy.
If you continue to show them that you are good for their son, they'll warm up to you over time.