After dealing with a series of pains, you have finally found your perfect partner. Often, when you are getting serious about your relationship, there comes a day they want you to meet their parents. If you are lucky enough, their parents would instantly like you—sometimes for no apparent reasons. But chances are, you can get so nervous that you can’t think of strategies to win their hearts later on.
Let us warn you: you must be prepared! By knowing some tips from us, you can confidently be yourself and ensure them that their children fall in love with the right person.
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Dress well
Let us set aside an old saying of “do not judge a book by its cover” because it is clear that we do. You do not have to wear a perfect pair of designer suits or dress, but always choose those pairs you are comfortable wearing. Make sure you wear clean and neat clothes and avoid those with too tight or too loose cuttings—just like you got so prepared for your first date! Another thing to consider when choosing your clothes is, set your pairs with the place you will meet them, whether it would take place in a fancy restaurant, a cosy café, at school, or casually at home.
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Do your research
You will need help from your partner at this point. Know what their parents love to eat, their hobbies or interests, their unique habits, and their personalities. Try to learn a bit of that area will help you go along very well in the future discussions with them. If possible, buy them a gift of foods of their favourites!
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Set your gestures and responses
Sometimes it doesn’t matter a topic you try to bring in, but if you show bad responses or unfriendly gestures when talking, you will be disliked. Try to smile when greeting them, laugh with them—even you think the jokes are corny, LOL!, listen thoroughly to their stories and ask them questions to show interest. Imagine you will meet your idol for the first time!
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Compliment sincerely
Everyone might know that you come from a wealthy or popular family, or you were once the brightest student in your class, but no, they do not need to know all about your achievements in the very first meeting—unless they ask. Let them be the spotlight, and compliment them sincerely once you find interesting stuff about them.
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Be polite!
You are probably a joker in your circle, or you will get so excited and scream out loud every time your favourite song comes on. But now, tone it down. You might think you will appear as a boring person, but it is your best bet for now, especially if you are socially awkward and do not know how to take steps. Avoid throwing sensitive jokes, do not give unnecessary comments, and do not laugh too hard. Just play safe! If you are naturally a fun person, they will know eventually. Probably they want to join in the fun with you next Friday?
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Ask for their advice or opinions to show that they matter
This point has a strong correlation with point number 2. When you know their field of expertise, you can start a conversation such as, “I heard you love flowers. Can you give me a recommendation which flower I can give to my mom on Mother’s Day?”, Or “Lisa (insert your partner’s name) always told me that you regularly at classical concerts. Which one do you like better, Romance or Baroque pieces?”. A good sign if you and their parents have common interests. Â
If you already got a sign that they are interested in you, you can step up the game to get yourself closer to them! For instance, “Oh, I am working for a foreign cultural centre, they hold some concerts regularly. Can I have your number/email? It will be easier for me to let you know later!”
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Somehow, they do not have to like you
Sometimes people are naturally jerks. No matter how warm or friendly you are with their parents, there is still a chance of them not liking you in return. You can’t force or control how people would like to react, what you can control is how you behave and act upon those responses. But, after all, as long as you are still with your partner, just let them. You may need help from your partner to gain a score from their parents, but if you have been trying so hard and they still dislike you, you still have to be kind and sincere. In the end, what matters is how you manage your relationship with your partner.