Meeting the family for the first time
The turning point for any relationship is when you decide to move to the next phase. The phase which entails meeting the parents. This phase of the relationship means that your partner is taking your relationship seriously and wants you to meet their loved ones.
For many reasons it may leave you feeling anxious. And this is the time of year when these meetings tend to happen. How exactly should you deal with the pressure of trying to be summed up by people who barely know you? Here are some tips.
Don’t do anything which makes you uncomfortable
If you’re whizz at making a casserole dish on your Elba gas stove, then take along your homemade dish and show that you actually know a thing or two. Mothers are normally impressed by this quality in any person. However, if your skills in the kitchen are as good as a garden snail gliding over salt, then scrap the thought of even trying. Don’t think you can outwit them by running off to the deli to buy a dish. Mothers know.
Do your research beforehand
Everyone will remember your name, but you’re terrible at remembering names. Trying to remember the names of a bunch of people at one time could get rather complicated. Ask your partner to show you pictures of everyone and try to memorise their names. If you address someone by their name, instead of asking them to repeat it, will score you brownie points in an instant.
The difference between being polite and dishonest
Simple manners will take you far, just like your mother always told you. Please and thank you will not go out of style anytime soon. That’s being polite. Being dishonest to the point where it intrudes on your comfort is a huge no-no. If you have allergies and the family have six dogs, then you should probably say something. If anything makes you feel uncomfortable, say so. Hiding will make it worse.
Offer to help
Don’t just sit there staring at the wall of family photos. Get up and offer to help with anything. Doing something will also lessen the nerves and get you talking to those around you when your partner isn’t with you. Yes, get used to your partner being away from you. They’re doing it on purpose to get you to connect with their family.