How to Make a Great Impression on Your Date’s Parents
If you and your online date click and casual dating grows into a serious relationship, eventually you will be invited home to meet your date’s parents. Knowing that your date’s family is going to be putting you under the microscope is enough to make anyone nervous. But you can pass inspection with flying colors and make a great impression on your date’s parents if you follow a
few simple rules:
- Be prepared. Ask your date about her parents and family. The more you know, the less likely you are to make an embarrassing comment. For example, if your date’s family is vegan; you won’t want to regale them with tales of your last hunting trip. Don’t be shy about asking your date to clue you in to any unusual habits, beliefs or circumstances about her family that you should be sensitive to. Your date is in your corner. Let her help you succeed.
- Know the players. Looking at a few family photos before your visit will help you put names and faces together.
- Be prompt. If your invitation is for a specific time, be on time. If you arrive early, park down the street and wait until the appointed hour. You don’t want to surprise your hostess before she’s ready for you.
- Be polite. Remember to say please and thank you, hold the door for women, put the seat down if you’re a guy, offer to help with the dishes – all those things your mother taught you.
- Error on the side of formality by calling your date’s parents and older relatives Mr. or Mrs. unless invited to be more familiar. It’s OK to call your date’s siblings and any relatives in your general age-ring by their first name.
- When conversing, don’t monopolize the conversation and don’t boast about your achievements. Wait to speak until the other person is done talking and make an effort to include everyone in the conversation. Steer away from touchy subjects like religion, politics, sex and race.
- Try to relax and have a good time.