So, you’ve impressed your partner ever since your first date, but now it’s time to up the ante: introducing the parents. If your partner has asked you to meet their parents, it typically means they think you’re going to be around for the long-haul so you must be doing something right! And you want to keep it this way, obviously. But meeting the parents can be seriously nerve-racking that even the best of us can slip up under the pressure. Rest assured, we’re about to tell you how to impress your partner’s parents (and yourself by how well you pull it off). Get ready to top all of their expectations. Hold a Friendly Smile
Now we know you can do this. A simple smile will go a long way in creating a lasting impression. If you smile at strangers in the street with no ulterior motive, smiling at your partner’s parents should be easy, in theory anyway. “When you are meeting your partner’s parents for the first time, it’s easy to forget to smile as feelings of anxiety set in,” says Sandra Myers, Matchmaker, Relationship Expert, and President of Select Date Society. “You may be feeling intimidated or nervous about trying to make a good first impression, but don’t let your nerves show on your face.” Myers explains that when you smile, it actually makes the other party feel happier and calmer, so smiling is a great way to naturally make your partner’s parents feel positive about you without trying too hard (no one likes a try-hard). Knowing they’ll feel at ease if you smile makes the act of smiling seem easy again, right? Dress To Impress
The way you look will be the first thing they see, and you only get one shot at a good first impression. No matter how much you smile, if you’re dressed totally inappropriately, it’ll go completely unnoticed if their eyes won’t make it past your outfit. “Make sure that your appearance reflects the fact that you put thought and effort into looking good. Keep in mind that you are trying to impress your partner’s parents, not your partner,” says Myers. Avoid sexy, revealing, or inappropriate clothing. Think “cute office look” versus “club attire.” You’re not trying to take their parents home for the night. When in doubt, play it safe. This isn’t the time to show off your latest tattoos or eccentric fashion sense. Go for a conservative, classic look that everyone appreciates whether it’s their style or not. Avoid Negative or Controversial Topics
“I always tell my clients to avoid talking about politics, religion, or your ex on a first date and the same rule applies to meeting your partner’s parents,” says Myers. She strongly advises avoiding any topic that can be polarizing or instigate a heated debate. Instead, focus on topics that are fun and light-hearted – basically anything that makes a good first date. If you wouldn’t mention it on a first date, definitely don’t mention it whilst meeting your partner’s parents. Think about a funny or exciting event that has happened in your life lately and be prepared to share a story or two. It’ll give them more of a personal insight into your life creating a deeper connection. Show Interest in Them
While the purpose of meeting the parents is mostly about them getting to know you, showing equal interest in them can be extremely flattering and make you appear more present. “This is where it’s helpful to do a little preparation work ahead of time and you’ll likely need your partner’s help,” says Myers. “Ask your partner to share funny family stories, details about what their parents like to do for fun, and what types of careers they have. The more you know about them going into it, the better questions you’ll be able to ask to engage them in conversation.” Get them to open up to you, they’ll leave with a good feeling about you if they feel comfortable enough to do so. But don’t do a full background check, you don’t want to learn everything about them through your partner. Faking being surprised will get boring past the main course and it’ll show. Be Respectful
“Even if you and your partner are in your 40’s, parents always want to feel respect and appreciation from their children. The easiest way to do this is to show up with a gift. You’ll need your partner’s help on this to make sure the gift is appropriate,” says Myers. For example, if you’d like to bring a bottle of wine, check with your partner to make sure it’s a good idea. The last thing you want to do is show up with alcohol for a non-drinker, or worse, a recovering alcoholic! A beautiful bouquet of flowers always seems like a good idea, who doesn’t like receiving flowers? Someone with intense hay fever, that’s who. Even the most classic gifts can be offensive when given to the wrong audience. You don’t want to be playing tug of war with a bottle of wine to get it out of their hands or be the one responsible for making them feel wheezy.
See more about - How To Get The Spark Back In The Bedroom
Jump In and Help Out
It’s basic human decency, and you want them to think you’re a decent human being that was raised right. If you enjoy a family dinner together, offer to help clear the table and do the dishes once the meal is done. “Ask your partner’s parents where you can help. When you show that you have a great attitude, good work ethic, and are a team player, your partner’s parents are sure to be impressed,” says Myers. If you’re out at a restaurant, hold the doors open, pull out their chairs, top-up their water – be the ultimate gentleman. Show How Much You Care About Your Other Half
Parents are naturally protective over their children and they’ll be paying extra special attention to how you treat them. At the end of the day, all parents want is for their children to be happy, and if they can see that you’re a big part of their happiness, you’re sure to impress them. “They’ll notice everything from the way you talk proudly about something your partner has done to the way you affectionately put your arm around them at the end of the night,” says Jessica Alderson, CEO, and Co-Founder of So Syncd. “Parents will want to know that you adore the precious being they brought into the world as much as they do.” Do Your Research
Alderson recommends asking your partner if there’s anything you should know beforehand. “If you are from a different culture, you’ll want to understand if there’s anything that might not go down well or if there are certain traditions that you should respect,” she says. Plus, there might have been a traumatic family event that they don’t like to talk about. The simplest way to get around this is to just ask your other half, you don’t want to find this out first hand. They’ll also appreciate the thoughtfulness. Don’t Overdo the PDA
There’s a difference between being loving and OTT affectionate, and you can bet they don’t want to witness the latter up close and personal. This may be tricky if your love language is touch, but do your best to reel it in. You want to show your partner’s partners you have more in common than sexual chemistry. You want to show them that you’re a potential partner for life. It’s totally fine to be affectionate towards your partner when meeting their parents. “In fact, this can show that you care about them. A brief holding of their hand or a peck on the cheek is acceptable by most people’s standards but you don’t want to be pinching their bum or having a full make-out session in front of their parents,” says Alderson. Different people have different levels of what they think is acceptable in terms of PDA so if in doubt, she recommends keeping it to a minimum and ramping it up when you get home alone. Be Polite
It’s important to show your partner’s parents that you have good manners. “Being polite is key for making a good first impression. Listen to others when they are speaking, remember to say thank you, and be mindful of table manners,” says Alderson. Staying present and attentive makes a huge difference to how people perceive you, so she insists that you resist the urge to check your phone at all costs. If you can’t go without a few hours on your phone to fully dedicate yourself to meeting your partner’s partners, they’ll seriously question your intentions. If there’s something urgent that you really must attend to that you discover whilst checking your phone during your bathroom break, it’s better to politely excuse yourself rather than typing away in front of everyone at dinner or on the toilet (you don’t want them to think you’re having toilet troubles).
See more about - How To Keep The Conversation Flowing On A First Date
So, you’ve impressed your partner ever since your first date, but now it’s time to up the ante: introducing the parents. If your partner has asked you to meet their parents, it typically means they think you’re going to be around for the long-haul so you must be doing something right! And you want to keep it this way, obviously. But meeting the parents can be seriously nerve-racking that even the best of us can slip up under the pressure. Rest assured, we’re about to tell you how to impress your partner’s parents (and yourself by how well you pull it off). Get ready to top all of their expectations. Hold a Friendly Smile
Now we know you can do this. A simple smile will go a long way in creating a lasting impression. If you smile at strangers in the street with no ulterior motive, smiling at your partner’s parents should be easy, in theory anyway. “When you are meeting your partner’s parents for the first time, it’s easy to forget to smile as feelings of anxiety set in,” says Sandra Myers, Matchmaker, Relationship Expert, and President of Select Date Society. “You may be feeling intimidated or nervous about trying to make a good first impression, but don’t let your nerves show on your face.” Myers explains that when you smile, it actually makes the other party feel happier and calmer, so smiling is a great way to naturally make your partner’s parents feel positive about you without trying too hard (no one likes a try-hard). Knowing they’ll feel at ease if you smile makes the act of smiling seem easy again, right? Dress To Impress
The way you look will be the first thing they see, and you only get one shot at a good first impression. No matter how much you smile, if you’re dressed totally inappropriately, it’ll go completely unnoticed if their eyes won’t make it past your outfit. “Make sure that your appearance reflects the fact that you put thought and effort into looking good. Keep in mind that you are trying to impress your partner’s parents, not your partner,” says Myers. Avoid sexy, revealing, or inappropriate clothing. Think “cute office look” versus “club attire.” You’re not trying to take their parents home for the night. When in doubt, play it safe. This isn’t the time to show off your latest tattoos or eccentric fashion sense. Go for a conservative, classic look that everyone appreciates whether it’s their style or not. Avoid Negative or Controversial Topics
“I always tell my clients to avoid talking about politics, religion, or your ex on a first date and the same rule applies to meeting your partner’s parents,” says Myers. She strongly advises avoiding any topic that can be polarizing or instigate a heated debate. Instead, focus on topics that are fun and light-hearted – basically anything that makes a good first date. If you wouldn’t mention it on a first date, definitely don’t mention it whilst meeting your partner’s parents. Think about a funny or exciting event that has happened in your life lately and be prepared to share a story or two. It’ll give them more of a personal insight into your life creating a deeper connection. Show Interest in Them
While the purpose of meeting the parents is mostly about them getting to know you, showing equal interest in them can be extremely flattering and make you appear more present. “This is where it’s helpful to do a little preparation work ahead of time and you’ll likely need your partner’s help,” says Myers. “Ask your partner to share funny family stories, details about what their parents like to do for fun, and what types of careers they have. The more you know about them going into it, the better questions you’ll be able to ask to engage them in conversation.” Get them to open up to you, they’ll leave with a good feeling about you if they feel comfortable enough to do so. But don’t do a full background check, you don’t want to learn everything about them through your partner. Faking being surprised will get boring past the main course and it’ll show. Be Respectful
“Even if you and your partner are in your 40’s, parents always want to feel respect and appreciation from their children. The easiest way to do this is to show up with a gift. You’ll need your partner’s help on this to make sure the gift is appropriate,” says Myers. For example, if you’d like to bring a bottle of wine, check with your partner to make sure it’s a good idea. The last thing you want to do is show up with alcohol for a non-drinker, or worse, a recovering alcoholic! A beautiful bouquet of flowers always seems like a good idea, who doesn’t like receiving flowers? Someone with intense hay fever, that’s who. Even the most classic gifts can be offensive when given to the wrong audience. You don’t want to be playing tug of war with a bottle of wine to get it out of their hands or be the one responsible for making them feel wheezy.
See more about - How To Get The Spark Back In The Bedroom
Jump In and Help Out
It’s basic human decency, and you want them to think you’re a decent human being that was raised right. If you enjoy a family dinner together, offer to help clear the table and do the dishes once the meal is done. “Ask your partner’s parents where you can help. When you show that you have a great attitude, good work ethic, and are a team player, your partner’s parents are sure to be impressed,” says Myers. If you’re out at a restaurant, hold the doors open, pull out their chairs, top-up their water – be the ultimate gentleman. Show How Much You Care About Your Other Half
Parents are naturally protective over their children and they’ll be paying extra special attention to how you treat them. At the end of the day, all parents want is for their children to be happy, and if they can see that you’re a big part of their happiness, you’re sure to impress them. “They’ll notice everything from the way you talk proudly about something your partner has done to the way you affectionately put your arm around them at the end of the night,” says Jessica Alderson, CEO, and Co-Founder of So Syncd. “Parents will want to know that you adore the precious being they brought into the world as much as they do.” Do Your Research
Alderson recommends asking your partner if there’s anything you should know beforehand. “If you are from a different culture, you’ll want to understand if there’s anything that might not go down well or if there are certain traditions that you should respect,” she says. Plus, there might have been a traumatic family event that they don’t like to talk about. The simplest way to get around this is to just ask your other half, you don’t want to find this out first hand. They’ll also appreciate the thoughtfulness. Don’t Overdo the PDA
There’s a difference between being loving and OTT affectionate, and you can bet they don’t want to witness the latter up close and personal. This may be tricky if your love language is touch, but do your best to reel it in. You want to show your partner’s partners you have more in common than sexual chemistry. You want to show them that you’re a potential partner for life. It’s totally fine to be affectionate towards your partner when meeting their parents. “In fact, this can show that you care about them. A brief holding of their hand or a peck on the cheek is acceptable by most people’s standards but you don’t want to be pinching their bum or having a full make-out session in front of their parents,” says Alderson. Different people have different levels of what they think is acceptable in terms of PDA so if in doubt, she recommends keeping it to a minimum and ramping it up when you get home alone. Be Polite
It’s important to show your partner’s parents that you have good manners. “Being polite is key for making a good first impression. Listen to others when they are speaking, remember to say thank you, and be mindful of table manners,” says Alderson. Staying present and attentive makes a huge difference to how people perceive you, so she insists that you resist the urge to check your phone at all costs. If you can’t go without a few hours on your phone to fully dedicate yourself to meeting your partner’s partners, they’ll seriously question your intentions. If there’s something urgent that you really must attend to that you discover whilst checking your phone during your bathroom break, it’s better to politely excuse yourself rather than typing away in front of everyone at dinner or on the toilet (you don’t want them to think you’re having toilet troubles).
See more about - How To Keep The Conversation Flowing On A First Date
So, you’ve impressed your partner ever since your first date, but now it’s time to up the ante: introducing the parents. If your partner has asked you to meet their parents, it typically means they think you’re going to be around for the long-haul so you must be doing something right! And you want to keep it this way, obviously.
But meeting the parents can be seriously nerve-racking that even the best of us can slip up under the pressure. Rest assured, we’re about to tell you how to impress your partner’s parents (and yourself by how well you pull it off). Get ready to top all of their expectations.
Hold a Friendly Smile
Now we know you can do this. A simple smile will go a long way in creating a lasting impression. If you smile at strangers in the street with no ulterior motive, smiling at your partner’s parents should be easy, in theory anyway. “When you are meeting your partner’s parents for the first time, it’s easy to forget to smile as feelings of anxiety set in,” says Sandra Myers, Matchmaker, Relationship Expert, and President of Select Date Society.
“You may be feeling intimidated or nervous about trying to make a good first impression, but don’t let your nerves show on your face.” Myers explains that when you smile, it actually makes the other party feel happier and calmer, so smiling is a great way to naturally make your partner’s parents feel positive about you without trying too hard (no one likes a try-hard). Knowing they’ll feel at ease if you smile makes the act of smiling seem easy again, right?
Dress To Impress
The way you look will be the first thing they see, and you only get one shot at a good first impression. No matter how much you smile, if you’re dressed totally inappropriately, it’ll go completely unnoticed if their eyes won’t make it past your outfit. “Make sure that your appearance reflects the fact that you put thought and effort into looking good. Keep in mind that you are trying to impress your partner’s parents, not your partner,” says Myers.
Avoid sexy, revealing, or inappropriate clothing. Think “cute office look” versus “club attire.” You’re not trying to take their parents home for the night. When in doubt, play it safe. This isn’t the time to show off your latest tattoos or eccentric fashion sense. Go for a conservative, classic look that everyone appreciates whether it’s their style or not.
Avoid Negative or Controversial Topics
“I always tell my clients to avoid talking about politics, religion, or your ex on a first date and the same rule applies to meeting your partner’s parents,” says Myers. She strongly advises avoiding any topic that can be polarizing or instigate a heated debate. Instead, focus on topics that are fun and light-hearted – basically anything that makes a good first date.
If you wouldn’t mention it on a first date, definitely don’t mention it whilst meeting your partner’s parents. Think about a funny or exciting event that has happened in your life lately and be prepared to share a story or two. It’ll give them more of a personal insight into your life creating a deeper connection.
Show Interest in Them
While the purpose of meeting the parents is mostly about them getting to know you, showing equal interest in them can be extremely flattering and make you appear more present. “This is where it’s helpful to do a little preparation work ahead of time and you’ll likely need your partner’s help,” says Myers. “Ask your partner to share funny family stories, details about what their parents like to do for fun, and what types of careers they have. The more you know about them going into it, the better questions you’ll be able to ask to engage them in conversation.”
Get them to open up to you, they’ll leave with a good feeling about you if they feel comfortable enough to do so. But don’t do a full background check, you don’t want to learn everything about them through your partner. Faking being surprised will get boring past the main course and it’ll show.
Be Respectful
“Even if you and your partner are in your 40’s, parents always want to feel respect and appreciation from their children. The easiest way to do this is to show up with a gift. You’ll need your partner’s help on this to make sure the gift is appropriate,” says Myers.
For example, if you’d like to bring a bottle of wine, check with your partner to make sure it’s a good idea. The last thing you want to do is show up with alcohol for a non-drinker, or worse, a recovering alcoholic!
A beautiful bouquet of flowers always seems like a good idea, who doesn’t like receiving flowers? Someone with intense hay fever, that’s who. Even the most classic gifts can be offensive when given to the wrong audience. You don’t want to be playing tug of war with a bottle of wine to get it out of their hands or be the one responsible for making them feel wheezy.
See more about - How To Get The Spark Back In The Bedroom
Jump In and Help Out
See more about - How To Get The Spark Back In The Bedroom
It’s basic human decency, and you want them to think you’re a decent human being that was raised right. If you enjoy a family dinner together, offer to help clear the table and do the dishes once the meal is done. “Ask your partner’s parents where you can help.
When you show that you have a great attitude, good work ethic, and are a team player, your partner’s parents are sure to be impressed,” says Myers. If you’re out at a restaurant, hold the doors open, pull out their chairs, top-up their water – be the ultimate gentleman.
Show How Much You Care About Your Other Half
Parents are naturally protective over their children and they’ll be paying extra special attention to how you treat them. At the end of the day, all parents want is for their children to be happy, and if they can see that you’re a big part of their happiness, you’re sure to impress them.
“They’ll notice everything from the way you talk proudly about something your partner has done to the way you affectionately put your arm around them at the end of the night,” says Jessica Alderson, CEO, and Co-Founder of So Syncd. “Parents will want to know that you adore the precious being they brought into the world as much as they do.”
Do Your Research
Alderson recommends asking your partner if there’s anything you should know beforehand. “If you are from a different culture, you’ll want to understand if there’s anything that might not go down well or if there are certain traditions that you should respect,” she says.
Plus, there might have been a traumatic family event that they don’t like to talk about. The simplest way to get around this is to just ask your other half, you don’t want to find this out first hand. They’ll also appreciate the thoughtfulness.
Don’t Overdo the PDA
There’s a difference between being loving and OTT affectionate, and you can bet they don’t want to witness the latter up close and personal. This may be tricky if your love language is touch, but do your best to reel it in. You want to show your partner’s partners you have more in common than sexual chemistry. You want to show them that you’re a potential partner for life.
It’s totally fine to be affectionate towards your partner when meeting their parents. “In fact, this can show that you care about them. A brief holding of their hand or a peck on the cheek is acceptable by most people’s standards but you don’t want to be pinching their bum or having a full make-out session in front of their parents,” says Alderson.
Different people have different levels of what they think is acceptable in terms of PDA so if in doubt, she recommends keeping it to a minimum and ramping it up when you get home alone.
Be Polite
It’s important to show your partner’s parents that you have good manners. “Being polite is key for making a good first impression. Listen to others when they are speaking, remember to say thank you, and be mindful of table manners,” says Alderson.
Staying present and attentive makes a huge difference to how people perceive you, so she insists that you resist the urge to check your phone at all costs. If you can’t go without a few hours on your phone to fully dedicate yourself to meeting your partner’s partners, they’ll seriously question your intentions.
If there’s something urgent that you really must attend to that you discover whilst checking your phone during your bathroom break, it’s better to politely excuse yourself rather than typing away in front of everyone at dinner or on the toilet (you don’t want them to think you’re having toilet troubles).
See more about - How To Keep The Conversation Flowing On A First Date
See more about - How To Keep The Conversation Flowing On A First Date
