It’s natural to be anxious about making a first impression on your girlfriend’s parents. Even if you have nothing to worry about, you can still be concerned about how to behave in their presence.
To help you get ready for this important visit, we’ve compiled a few tips.
- Know More about Your In-laws’ Family
Ask your girlfriend about her family, discuss the basic hobbies and pastimes of your in-laws, such as sports, reading, television, etc. This can help you identify your shared interests and how to proceed with future convesations based on these findings.
Don’t go out of your way to cater to their hobbies though; instead, simply be yourself and make an effort to start a conversation with them naturally.
- Get Appropriate Gifts
Since this is the first time you are visiting your in-laws’ family, make sure you get appropriate gifts. As you have already asked your girl about her parents, now you should have an idea about their interests. Before buying any presents for your girlfriend’s family, discuss it with her to make sure they’ll like what you’re planning to give them.
Besides your in-laws, you could also buy presents for everyone else at the house, like your girl’s siblings or her extended family who might be just visiting or staying there.
Getting a gift is a nice way to show your enthusiasm to be a part of the family right from the first visit.
- Be Honest about Yourself
While discussing your job and long-term goals with them, including where and when you want to settle down, it’s important to be forthright and honest about your plans. Their interest in these details is understandable, given that their daughter ‘s future is involved in your decisions as well.
Even though you may be worried that your choices could strain your connection with your in-laws, that may not always the case. And overall, it’s better to be honest than deceive them and get their approval and then have them find out you’d lied.
- Pay Attention to their Habits and Conversations
Whatever they’re saying, pay close attention. When you mention those details during your next visit,it can help create a good impression of you. With every visit, show them that you’re eager and happy to be part of their family.
Pay attention to your girlfriend’s family’s cultural practices and attempt to follow them on your next visit. Some examples of such practices include taking off one’s shoes at the door or praying before preparing a meal.
These gestures, however small, demonstrate your thoughtfulness for them and can earn you their approval.
- Dress Properly
Dress in a way that is understated yet nevertheless sophisticated and relaxed. Do not overdress for the occasion by wearing suits.
Demonstrate that you have made an effort to dress appropriately for the event without drawing unnecessary attention to yourself with flashy outfits.
It will be their first encounter with you, so remember to dress comfortably yet look presentable. Do not go out of your style to impress them as you might not be able to keep that up all the time.
- Do Not Be Late
Show up to the location on time or early. Rather than making up excuses later, it would be best to just avoid scheduling anything important during that time.
Doing so will demonstrate to your in-laws that family matters are at the top of your list of priorities.
- Do Not Boast about Yourself
It’s natural to feel thrilled about your accomplishments and want to brag about them, but if you want to impress your in-laws, you shouldn’t go on and on about yourself and how much you have achieved. Of course you should share your accomplishments, but at the same time make sure to be humble.
Try to restrict the amount of time you spend talking about yourself with your in-laws unless they specifically ask you to do so.
- Keep the Conversation Going
You should not give your in-laws the impression that you find them boring. Get involved in whatever it is they’re discussing. Maintain a constant nod and grin. Try to respond to their concerns politely.
If you sense that they are done asking questions, or if the conversation seems dull to them, shift to a new subject.
Discuss with your girlfriend what her family typically talks about during leisure and come prepared on that topic.. Their interests might be something as simple as watching a cricket match on television, or going to a neighboring temple or park. Just research it up and be prepared so that you can join the conversation if it comes up.
