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Article ID: 9122
Title: Meet the Parents for the First Time
By: Lisa Bower

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Meet the Parents for the First Time

The mere thought of meeting your date’s parents can be terrifying. If the meeting goes well, it can mean great things for your relationship, but, if it goes poorly, it could complicate your life. If you go into the meeting with realistic expectations and are conscious of your words and language, you can meet the parents of your date with ease.

Talk to your date before you meet the parents to hear what his or her parents are like. What do they do for a living, and what are they interested in? If you find out all you can about the parents, you can bring an appropriate gift and have some conversation starters. For example, if your date’s parents like wine, you could bring some when you meet them. If your date’s parents like baseball, you can brush up on some current stats and news and start a conversation.

Additionally, find out which topics are off-limits. If you and your date’s parents have differing political views, be sure to avoid this subject. If politics comes up, change the subject, and don’t encourage further discussion because you will risk causing stress and anxiety. Additionally, if there’s something your loved one doesn’t want them to know or something they are unhappy about, don’t bring it up.

Be sure to dress well for this meeting. You want to look professional, so wear something presentable. Make sure to shower, and ask your date for their opinion about your outfit. First impressions are important: You don’t want them to dislike you when you walk through the door because your shirt is missing a button.

Brace yourself for some awkward questions: Your date’s parents will want to make sure you’re a solid person for their child, even if the two of you are nowhere near marriage. They will want to know about your intentions, career and goals, among other topics. Think about how you will answer these sorts of questions before the meeting.

Make sure you are on time for the meeting and are prepared for the activity. Again, first impressions are key when meeting the parents. Shake the parents’ hands, and smile when you greet them. Don’t be overly friendly: Remember that you have to prove yourself before you start calling them mom and dad.