Meeting Your Partner's Parents? 7 Tips To Make A Great First Impression

Meeting your partner's parents is an important step in the relationship. After all, the parents will likely be a significant part of the life you're building with your partner. You want to do it at the right time and give yourself the best chance at making a great first impression, so here's some expert advice to help ensure that your relationship with them gets off to a good start.

"Around six months in the same city, dating and getting to know each other, is a nice average," she says. "Just honor your voice. Don't jump into it or be pressured to do something you're not ready to do. If you're taking this step, you should feel like you're going to be with this person long term."

"The goal should be intentionality," Asha says.

Don't stress about what to wear when meeting the parents. Put on something you feel relaxed in, short of loungewear. "Obviously, you want to be respectful," Bronstein says. "But dress like yourself. When in doubt as far as what to wear, I always say it's better to be overdressed than underdressed."

"A good first impression is an honest first impression," Asha says. "Most times we put so much pressure on trying to make the best impression when meeting our partner's family that it comes off forced or uncomfortable. Allow them to get to know who you are, not just a representation of what you think they would want to see."

"I view meeting your partner's parents as similar to a job interview in this aspect only," Bronstein says. She echoes the sentiment of authenticity but suggests putting your best foot forward. Show up as the best version of you. For instance, if alcohol negatively alters your behavior and you don't want that to influence how the parents feel about you, maybe don't drink during the get-together.

Actively engage in getting to know your partner's parents. We all like to feel as though we're being listened to and that a person genuinely cares what we have to say. Bronstein recommends accomplishing this by "peeling the onion" during the conversation. Delve into the things they say, one layer at a time. Ask follow-up questions and show that you want to understand them.

Don't aim to control the interaction. If you try to peel the onion and they don't want to go deeper, move on. You might have things you'd like to talk about, but as Asha says, "If the conversation goes in a different direction, go with the flow." Being pushy or rigid is a fast way to turn someone off.

While deep research isn't necessary, Bronstein does encourage finding out what the parents like so you can bring a thoughtful thank you gift. Something such as a bottle of their favorite wine if you have dinner at their house would be perfect.

Thinking too far ahead and wondering if the parents like you can distract you from the conversation, which might also increase the chances that you'll say something off base or something that shows you're not paying attention to the people you should be getting to know. "You can never go wrong with staying in the moment," Bronstein says.

No matter how things go, your partner's parents took time out of their day to meet you. Let them know you appreciate that.

In addition to all things significant other, you and their parents can talk about:

Topics you may want to "test the water" on before initiating a full-blown discussion during that first meeting include:

Don't allow their opinions to dictate your behavior or your relationship. Be respectful. Be yourself. Live with the results and let them learn to love you for you.