How to Win Over Her Parents

So, you've met the most wonderful girl in the world and it's getting serious. Now it's time to meet her parents. How do win over people you don't really even know? No two sets of parents are alike, but when it comes to their daughter, they share certain concerns and priorities. Win over her parents so that they love you just as much as she does.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Realize that all parents have a few goals. These include protecting their little girl, and making it difficult for you to achieve your goal of winning them over. Every parent wants what's best for their child, so your first step should be treating your lady as if she is the most important thing in your world.
2. Build a strong relationship. A large part of her parents' impression of you will come from their daughter. If you have a great relationship and you're good to her, she'll only have great things to share about you with her family. If you aren't treating her well and your relationship is full of problems, her family will be able to tell.
3. Show, don't tell. Actions speak louder than words. If her parents witness your strong relationship, and how you treat their daughter, no other words will need to be said.
4. Get to know each parent individually, as well as a unit. You may be able to get to know them better this way, finding things in common and topics of interest that are unique to her mother and father. If you're personable and genuinely interested in them, they will each reciprocate.
5. Ask your girlfriend to give you a head's up on her parents' personalities, topics you should steer clear of, and how they may take your sense of humor, assuming you have one. Keep any strong opinions to yourself until you know them better, and limit the alcohol in their presence.
6. Show manners and always treat them with respect.
7. Invite them to dinner at your place. It shows initiative, an interest in getting to know them, and a willingness to open up your life to them.