Friday, 30 January 2009

  • Help, I'm Meeting My Boyfriend's Family!

    We are not even official yet, but we are planning to be after everything is settled. We've been talking for a year and change now, but as soon as he comes up here to Washington, we're moving forward.

    But that's another thing...I'm meeting his family next Friday.

    Maybe this shouldn't be a big deal... but to me it's really a BIG ONE. I've never had to worry about this, but now I am because he's the first guy to ever bring me home to Mommy but keep our drive for each other a secret...if you know what I mean.

    What should I wear?
    Should I greet with a hug or a handshake?
    Should I cling onto him or should I just stand by his side?

    What do I do?!

    I'm a nervous wreck! I don't know what to say... I can do debate and speech without a problem, but for whatever reason, this really scares me.

    Got any tips? I've got a week and two days to prepare.

Comments (28)

  • Dreaming_Faith@xanga

    0.o

    I gave this piece of advice when my gf was visiting my parents for the first time. Be yourself.

    I'm pretty sure they are as nervous to meet you as you are to meeting them. No need to over analyze this.
    What to wear...I recommend clothes. Pick out what you normally wear on a casual day.
    Hug or Handshake...hugs would seem acceptable. Because I'm pretty sure he has informed his parents about you and feels that you its a good time to intro you to the family. Good time to show your warm hearted side.
    Standing...I think standing by his side holding hands is good. Or just standing by his side. Clinging to him closely might be a little bit much, you want to be able to show that your not completely afraid of the family.

    my 2 cents.

  • Rain_Loves

    I had this same exact problem on Christmas.


    But turns out, I had nothing to worry about.  My bf's family, and I mean his whole family including his 8 aunts and uncles and grandma and grandpa and his immediate family, were all very sweet. 


    I'm sure his family will ask questions so just answer them and just be yourself.  My boyfriend was the one that was a bit clingy while I was at his family's Christmas party, hehe.  But I had a really good time and I think you will too.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask them.  I'm sure they're just as excited to meet you as you are meeting them.


    I gave the handshake and then my bf's mom gave me a hug.  Just go with the flow.


    It's like meeting new friends.


    I know you think it'll be awkward and you're freaking out, but really, it's an amazing feeling.  You'll have a good time meeting everyone and getting to know them.


    Anyway, goodluck.   :)

  • kaleidescopeeyes88@xanga

    Relax!  If you stress too much, you might find yourself clamming up and preventing your charming self to shine through.

    Unless the parents go in for the hug first, I go with a firm handshake, eye contact, and a big smile.  You can't go wrong with that.

    I dress up a little nicer than my day-to-day clothes, but not too dressy.  A nice pair of dark jeans, a sweater, or a blouse paired with a fitted jacket.  Pick something that makes you feel confident and comfortable.  Be a little conservative--No mini skirts or cleavage bearing tops, for example.

    As for how to behave with your bf, I would take cues from him.  He might be comfortable having his arm around you and stuff in front of his parents, or maybe he won't be.  Let him set the tone on that one for the day.  You'll get to do that when he meets yours. 

    Oh, and don't come empty handed.  Bring some cookies or fruit or something.

    Good luck!

  • ruth_princess@xanga

    hey buddy....dnt knw u wel....bt jus a small piece ov advice...be urself....dnt pretend....be honest wit urself....n taking tht hanshake or hug thind...do wateva ur comfortable wit...bt i wud hv preferred a hand shake cuz its ur 1st meet n u dnt knw 'em very well.... :D so b confident n giv it ur best shot...ol d best...!!! 

  • chickadee09

    Pretty much all of the above- try to enjoy yourself... :)


    Keep smiling! Good luck!

  • serendipity3m@xanga
    The first time I met my bf's mom, I was wearing a ratty old T-shirt of his, as well as a pair of his old shorts.

    I looked ridiculous. (we'd gone four-wheeling that day-- or rather I hung onto him desperately while HE went four-wheeling-- and I had gotten a lot muddier than I expected).

    Wear a step up from what you'd feel comfortable in. If your usual outfit is a T-shirt and jeans, wear a fitted jacket over that.

    Unless they're a really huggy bunch of people, stick with shaking hands.

    Don't be too touchy-feely with your bf in front of them. Hold hands, light kisses maybe, no tongue baths or anything (that's just common sense!)

    Good luck!
  • awokenfatality@xanga

    Meeting the parents is somewhat of a big deal. It means that he's serious about you.


    Either way, just relax and be yourself. It may be best not to cling yourself just incase they don't like that. Remember manners, unless they're very care free.
  • raspberryjade@xanga

    what a freakin weird picture they chose for this.

  • christinajeanne@xanga

    I would say relax and be yourself. You sound like a very nice person from your post. I'm sure his family will like you. The worst thing you can do is try to act phony. Just be polite and be yourself. Wear something nice not too sexy though nice pants and a pretty top might be nice. I would't worry too much. Mother in laws are usually fine with the girlfriend it's once you get married they have a problem with it lol. 

  • music_of_the_heart08@xanga

    Awww, meeting the parents. I loved meeting my boyfriend's parents, because I had heard so many good things about them through him. I met his parents the day of my Senior Prom, and it was cute! I was really nervous, and couldn't stop smiling (because I was nervous), but they were really sweet and greeted me with a hug.


    The best advice I can give is for you to wear something nice, but not revealing. For example, a semi-dressy top (without cleavage), and jeans. That should go over well. And show proper ettiquette when meeting them of course. Go for a handshake, unless they initiate a hug. Don't cling to your bf the whole time, you want to show that you're not obsessed..so just let him take the lead. If you're at his house, let him decide if he wants to take your hand, and etc. But no kissing! Duh, I'm sure you knew that. Most of all, just relax and be yourself!


    Best of luck! =)

  • WSKNibbles@xanga

    Wear something nice, but still pretty casual.  Greet with a handshake like you would normally, but be ready in case the mother forgoes the handshake and goes in for a hug.  Stay near your boyfriend (except for in the obvious situations, like where he goes to get a drink real fast and you're having a conversation with the 'rents) and generally keep a hand on him at all times.  Hug him when you feel like it and take his cues for kisses and such.

  • tri_girl@xanga

    I'd say wear something nice, but that still reflects your style.  If you work in an office, pick a shirt you would usually pair with slacks and wear it with jeans.  If it's chilly out, a cute sweater and jeans would be my choice (but that's my style) because it shows you're putting in enough effort to look nice, but you won't feel overdressed if everyone else is in jeans and a t-shirt.
    I didn't really have this problem becauseI had already met my boyfriend's family once before we started dating, and (I hate to say it) but his girlfriend before me wore so many slutty tops that I was practically a princess for wearing something where my bra didn't show!

  • DuCkLeE@xanga

    hahah. man. i know how u feel.  just relax. be yourself. don't try too hard, honesty is key and just have fun.

    get to know them and figure out where those quarky things ur bf does come from. LOL.

  • KasumiCelesta@xanga

    Just be yourself. Act like you meeting just some other person. No one wants to make a fool of themselves in front of anyone, right? It doesn't apply to just SO's families.

    Of course, I've never been brought home to a guy's family like that...so who knows? I might have been nervous, too. But it's best just to relax.

  • miky612@xanga

    hmm the first time i met my bf's parents was before we went out.. the second time i met them... we had started going out XD I usually start out very observing, greet with a smile and a wave (in the asian community), and see what their own habits are, and go from there.  You don't need to freak! Your bf will look out for you while you're there anyway :) good luck!

  • DucatiPunk@xanga

    I always get nervous about meeting parents too, even though it's never ended up being a problem for me.  I just try to treat them like any other new person.  Let them lead the conversation until I know a little about them and then pick up on the things I know.  

  • MzKeekz@xanga

    Oh lordy, good luck.
    Don't over-do the "nice gf" act, but just try to be genuine and relax.

  • YouToMe@xanga

    runnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. =P


    but seriously.....


    wear nothing too revealing or too tight. maybe casual to very nice, just to show them you put in some extra effort.


    greet with a shake, then a hug, if you feel they will be receptive to it/if you feel comfortable. thank them for welcoming you into their home. maybe bring a gift of something homemade (bread, cookies, dessert) or some nice flowers/chocolates/ wine/beverage for the parents.


    try to be warm, respectful, friendly. try not to be overly affectionate with him (being too clingy/running your fingers through his hair/touching his knee/grabbing his posterior/french kissing, etc.) in front of his family; might make him/them feel uncomfortable. 


    try not to share anything about him which might embarrass him or put him in a negative light. always show respect for him.  try not to over-share intimate things between the two of you.


    maybe make up some light-hearted questions you can ask them in case there are lulls in conversation (ask him for tips). like say, if the father or mother is into a special hobby, you might want to ask more about that. ask them how they met; stuff like that. also, maybe ask to see the family photo album...or to see their yard or something which you know they take pride in. most mothers LOVE to spend time looking through scrapbooks/albums with guests. it will show them that you want to know more about the family. you may also compliment them on the meal and ask for tips on how to make it like they do, etc.


    try to stay away from hot topics, such as politics and religion; things which may start an argument.  i don't think you need to potentially turn people off the very first time you meet them.


    other than that, be yourself, and bear in mind that they are probably just as nervous as you are. try to be understanding, positive, a good listener, affirming, gracious and thankful.

  • Powerpal2015@xanga

    Be calm, be yourself, and don't have too much to drink.

  • Ritzypuffles@xanga

    Hahaha, the first time I met my boyfriend's parents was through Yahoo Video Chat. :) Yep. That's coz he lives in the US and I in the Philippines... This happened Christmas last ear.

    It was quite stressful for me too because he told me that his parents are skeptical with meeting someone over the internet let alone dating that person.

    The best thing to do is ask your boyfriend what to wear, what to do, and how to act. He should know what would be okay with his parents.

    Good luck, my friend. :)

  • TheSpaceBass@xanga

    Be calm and be humble!
    ¡Buena suerte!

  • vi3ts3xs3y@xanga

    don’t worry! Just be sure that you help out with dinner or whatever it is that you are doing. First impression comes a long way!

  • ELIZerson@xanga

    Wear nice jeans and a black shirt that can be dressed up or down :)

    Be friendly!

    Let them initiate whether it's a hug or handshake....

    Don't cling.  Lightly touch.

  • OxoLaBeLLaViTaoxO@xanga

    @Dreaming_Faith@xanga - Couldn't have said it better myself! I completely agree.

  • YOU_ARE_THE_ONE_WITH_ME@xanga

    I think you should only be yourself... and just let them see whats truly in you =D anyways good luck !!

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