Meeting my girlfriends parents for the first time at a dinner this weekend and she means a lot. Help please. ps- they r from southern england.
2006-11-15 06:26:57 · 22 answers · asked by golam 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Be sure you are dressed properly for the occasion - find out which restuarant and what their dress code is. Make sure your clothes are clean and ironed and your hair is combed - I know this sounds very lame but it means ALOT do parents that you present well. It really does help them get a good impression to base your relationship. Be polite - shake hands with the man and the woman - if she puts her hand out first. Rise when one of the females does at the table. Seat your girlfriend when you get there and her mom too if it's feasible. Pick up your fork to eat after they do. Make sure to put the napkin in your lap once you are seated. Don't do alot of physical contact with your girlfriend. This is an important beginning. You can hold her hand but not kiss her in front of them. Not yet. Ask them questions, too - about where they live, what your girlfriend was like as a child, vacations they have been on, etc. Answer all their questions politely and honestly. And if THEY should be unkind or rude - just go with it for your girlfriend's sake. Shake hands again when you say good bye and walk them to their car so you can open the door for the mom. Try not to be nervous. I wish you alot of luck - and I must say I'm glad I don't have to go thru something like that again! :) I knowit's not easy!
2006-11-15 06:36:32 · answer #1 · answered by MissHazel 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well I would say they would be most impressed with the little things. Holding the door open for the ladies. Standing up when somebody new enters the room. Having a firm handshake, and a good smile. Complimenting their daugther. Offering to help where you can. Giving honest answers. Asking questions about their lives and jobs, etc...
Things not to do: Burp, fart, being rude, giving your girlfriend a hard time, like making fun of her or bringing up the past. Getting drunk. Talking about drunken stories. Or being loud or obnoxious.
2006-11-15 14:33:42 · answer #2 · answered by ht_butterfly27 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dress smart but casual , buy some flowers for her mother, try not to be too nervous, but don,t come over as being too showy either. Say how pleased you are to meet them and make nice compliments, like "How lovely their daughter is , it must be down to her good upbringing. Don't forget to thank them for a wonderful meal and tell them you will look forward to meeting them again in the not too distant future. Your girlfriend is very lucky that you want to make such a good impression. Good Luck!
2006-11-15 14:40:08 · answer #3 · answered by Helen L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What ever you do, do not say "pleased to meet you" or "Nice to meet you" the etiquette is " How do you do?" Then be yourself. The parents know their daughter well enough to know whether you're being a slime ball or not, smile, be complimentary but don't go on about yourself unless you're asked a specific question. People like others that ask questions about them and that don't keep going on about how great they are themselves. Think of the last time you were introduced to someone you liked or disliked. Be you!
2006-11-16 16:55:42 · answer #4 · answered by grammers57 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If she means a lot to you then hopefully that is something you express in your behaviour towards her. Her parents will be able to tell, and that will be really important to them.
The most vital thing for them is that you treat their daughter well, that you care for and about her. If you put it on too much, or over-act, they will see that.
Just be yourself, and if that means being nervous too, well that's ok as well. It will show that what they think matters to you, and that's good!
The other stuff is obvious, like the other folks have said, no swearing, no OTT behaviour, dress tidily.
And, have fun! I expect they will be a bit nervous too!
2006-11-15 15:39:09 · answer #5 · answered by Gardenclaire 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take a small gift for the mother.......like some flowers and be sure to say how pleased you are to meet them. Be yourself, but be polite and if wine or alcohol is on offer, don't get drunk!. Don't make any personal comments about the relationship you have with the daughter.
2006-11-17 16:14:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe take the mother some flowers, unless you will not be at home where she can put them in water. Otherwise just be polite, listen attentively, and ask them questions about themselves, and show them that you respect and care for their daughter. Better to say too little than too much. Hold the door for them, if possible.
2006-11-15 14:33:18 · answer #7 · answered by snapoutofit 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make sure to bring flowers. Kiss mother on cheek manly hand shake for dad. Wear a shirt and no jeans make sure your shoes are polished and offer to help with dinner/ washing up/setting table (what ever you are comfortable with) Do not get drunk (I know it is tempting) do not argue with dad and ask questions bout them. Make sure to compliment mother at some stage and do not openly snog/paw your girlfriend. Oh yes and check out a brief hisory of the town they live in just in case
2006-11-16 09:40:29 · answer #8 · answered by Birthe O 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Simple.
Take them tenpin bowling, then jump into a cab and head for the nearest dog track. Lose a couple of quid there then whoops, whip them off to the pub and buy the first, second and third rounds of drinks. Then head to a smart Kibab shop and to round off the evening put them up at the Dorchester for the night.
Now, if they dont give thier daughter to you on a platter, tough.
At least you tried.
2006-11-16 17:38:46 · answer #9 · answered by Latoya. 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take your cue from how your grlfriend acts with them. Remember that she knows them well and knows how best to behave around them.
Take a courtesy gift of flowers or chocolates.
Try not to swear too much.
Be affectionate with your girlfriend but not showy.
2006-11-16 13:14:48 · answer #10 · answered by Kari 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋