How to Behave in Front of Your Boyfriend's Parents

Knowing a bit about your boyfriend's parents in advance will help you interact better with them.

Behaving appropriately in front of your boyfriend's parents will make the time you spend with them less stressful for you, your boyfriend, and his parents. By putting a bit of time and effort into learning as much as you can about them, you'll know what to expect and how to put your best foot forward for them. The payoff will be an increased chance of a successful relationship with the people who are probably the most important in your boyfriend's life.

Instructions

1. Ask your boyfriend about his parents. What do they do for a living? Are they religious? Are their roots based in another culture? What outside interests do they pursue? Ideally, you'll find something that you have in common with them, so that you can rely on that as a topic of discussion. If not, at least understanding these fundamental elements of their lives will help keep you out of dangerous territory.

2. Dress conservatively, as if this were a job interview. Showing some concern for how you are perceived will go a long way. Avoid anything too low-cut or revealing. Of course, also avoid anything with offensive pictures or slogans.

3. Be polite and let your boyfriend's parents do most of the talking. They're certain to have questions for you, which you should answer as honestly as you can while keeping their sensibilities in mind. Don't lie about anything, but remember that you also don't have to divulge every last detail of your life at this point.

4. Compliment his parents. It never hurts to butter the parents up a little, as long as it doesn't seem artificial. From time to time, say that you love the house, the food, the mother's earrings and other thoughtful details. Don't do it all at once and don't say anything you don't genuinely mean. False compliments fall flat and make it seem like you're trying too hard.

5. Be yourself. Your boyfriend likes you, so chances are his parents will like you, too. Don't stress yourself out over this -- as with many relationships, there are frazzled nerves in the beginning because you are invested in the outcome. If you're polite and friendly, you'll have the best chance of a positive encounter.

References

• Continental Breakfast: Tips for Meeting Your New Boyfriend's Parents