There are several who fear this prospect; multiple reasons can include the implication of a committed relationship, the sheer pressure of ‘the family judgement’, or just even meeting new people.
However, myself as a declared positive mind, I like to think of this experience as a positive one. I personally find it a flattering situation that someone you care about, wants to take another step and introduce you to people they too have a deep relationship with.
It is easy to think that meeting your partners parents is quite simply a case of ‘being in the hot seat’ and the interrogation lamp is firmly fixed on you, but it is essential to think of this as a conversation with people that have heard good things about you, and all they want to do is meet the person that is making their child so happy.
Although this meeting will always be tied with the pressures of wanting to represent yourself in the best way possible, it is crucial to remember that you should always represent yourself in your original light.
Highlighting on this point further, it is important to detail your likes and interests so you are able to paint an authentic picture of yourself, but you should note that it is the reasons your partner likes you that they have agreed to introduce you to their parents, so embrace this!
Another important tip is to know this is a social meeting, not a job interview. Many like to imagine their partner’ parents barraging you with an assault of questioning, but they simply want to know how you are as a person, therefore one should also get to know their partner’ parents and other family members. By showing an interest in their life, just as they are showing an interest in yours, having a reciprocal conversation with them only makes this meeting the more fun and successful.
One final point to bring attention to is one that goes for any social interaction on the planet, remember manners! There is nothing more unappealing than a person who forgets social etiquette, although they cost nothing, remembering your ‘P’s and Q’s’ can go an extremely long way in the representation of yourself.
Having recently gone through this experience it was always going to be slightly nerve-racking. But I kept in mind that this was one I should relish, getting to this stepping stone in your relationship with your partner will always be in my eyes a flattering one. It shows a new level of commitment and trust that they want you to be apart of more avenues in their life, and they want to share more of their time with you.