A survival guide to meeting your partner’s family for the first time

This article offers advice on how to survive the first meeting with your partner’s family. Topics covered include appropriate clothing, conversation topics and how to behave in order to make a good first impression.

Meeting your partner’s family for the first time is an exciting but daunting prospect. Chances are if you’re ready to meet each other’s families, your relationship must be getting more serious.
However, meeting a partner’s family doesn’t need to be something to stress about. With this mind, here is a survival guide for making a good first impression with the future in-laws.

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Do your research

When meeting your partner’s family for the first time, a little preparation can go a long way. Every family has its own distinctive quirks, whether it’s a strong political bias or a love for all things organic.
You need to find out as much as you can about them from your partner in advance. Some important things to ask about are what they do for a living, do you have anything in common and are there any conversation topics you should avoid?

Dress appropriately
Everybody has different ideas about what constitutes appropriate attire. The best way to avoid offending your new partner’s parents is to always err on the side of caution.
For girls, this means dressing demurely and avoiding any suggestive necklines or hemlines. Equally, men should avoid dressing in ripped jeans or wearing T-shirts with offensive slogans.

Show off your manners
Remember this is the first time they have met you, so be sure to go back to the basics when it comes to acting politely. Always remember to say ‘please’ and ‘thank-you’, and if you go to their house for dinner or a meal, go out of your way to help with the washing up. Make an effort to arrive on time and if you’re going to a restaurant offer to chip in on the bill.
Try to greet them confidently and politely. For men this means a firm handshake for their father, and a kiss on the cheek for their mum.

Bring a gift
Always bring a gift, whether it’s as simple as flowers, chocolates or a bottle of wine. This is especially the case if they are inviting you into their home, because gift giving is the most basic way of showing gratitude and good manners.

Be ready for the Q&A session
Naturally your partner’s parents will have a lot of questions for you and it’s a great chance to show them your warm and friendly personality. If you are concerned they will ask difficult questions, try and pre-prepare some answers in advance.
Be sure to stick to neutral conversation topics and avoid subjects like religion, sexuality or politics. At the end of the day, your partner’s parents should like you if it’s clear you make their son or daughter happy.

 
Resource box
Jazzed – visit site
In case it goes badly and you’re left wanting to meet someone new!
Etiquette Scholar
Brush up on your etiquette with a guide to manners for a range of social situations.
Sydney Morning Herald
Top tips for making a good first impression.