You’ve never been so happy. The guy you’ve been seeing is charming, considerate, funny and good-looking, and you’re sure that he’s just right for you. After gushing about him to your girlfriends for several weeks, the time has come to make the big introduction and welcome him into your social circle. You’ve covered every detail, your friends meet your fellow – and they don’t get along. After a few attempts at bringing together two important aspects of your life, it becomes clear that not only do your friends not like your guy, he’s not too fond of them, either.

It’s not necessarily a dealbreaker when your love interest can’t click with your inner circle, but it certainly does make life substantially more difficult. If you want to work toward a situation in which you can enjoy all of your favorite people in one space, it is important to try your best to bridge the gap.

Are You Blind?
Before you go trying to stage a peace summit, think about this situation. The people who know you best and with whom you click aren’t connecting with this guy. Is it that they are sensing something you’ve missed?

Talk to them about what their concerns are with the guy and take an objective look at their concerns. Ideally, they should be able to say something more helpful than, “I just get a feeling about him that I don’t like.” They could be off-base, but they could also be on to something.

Sooth Green-Eyed Monsters
Sometimes it’s not that you’re dating the wrong guy, it’s that you’re dating. Women can be happy for their friends when they strike big in the romance department, but they can’t always keep feelings of jealousy at bay. Occasionally, that can translate into resentment that ends up directed at the new guy.

If your friends complain that you’re always spending time with your fellow, find time for a girls’ night out. Spending time with your friends and explaining that you will always have time in your life for your best friends might be all it takes to put jealousy aside and get your guy into your friends’ good graces.

Don’t Pit Them Against Each Other
You might not even realize you’re doing it. You spend time over dinner with the boyfriend complaining about how selfish your friends can be. You dish over coffee with the girls about the way he can occasionally show a lack of tact during inopportune moments. When you don’t paint a full picture of how wonderful the people in your life can be, instead offering less-than-flattering snippets while venting, you are pitting your guy and your friends against each other. Instead, be sure to balance and share anecdotes that reflect the best in each person.

Show the Common Ground
A common claim among people who can’t click is that they don’t have anything in common. If either your guy or your friends make this claim, shoot it to the ground. There is something very important that they have in common: the love they have for you and the love you have for them. Reminding them of the fact that there is some common ground can make the idea of getting along seem much less impossible.

When All Else Fails
If your efforts at playing the part of Switzerland have failed, don’t give up on any of your relationships. Reality is that, for now, you will have to balance your time among different groups. Make everyone realize that you will not condone either side badmouthing the next and hope that time and distance will make the heart grow fonder.