Let us say you are in a serious relationship and now in the marrying stage, but you have not yet meet your future in-laws due to some valid reasons. Although your sweetheart has already told his/her parents about you, and vice versa, they still want to meet you before you get married. Now that they are just waiting for you to meet them, here are some things I suggest you to do:
Before the Meeting:
1.0 Do not meet them if you just came from work the whole day. You will look haggard no matter how to fix yourself. It is better if you are as fresh as you can be when you present yourself.
2.0 Prepare nice clothes to wear. You do not need to buy a new one, just make sure it is decent and appropriate for the occasion but comfortable to you. If they are from another country, it is better if you somehow embrace their culture.
3.0 Bring your resume, of course not literally. What I meant is that expect that you will be asked where you graduated grade school, hobbies, employment history and special skills.
4.0 Ask your sweetheart what topics his/her parents love to discuss, such as jewelries, clothes, business or even history. Make some research as much as possible. They will find you interesting to talk with.
5.0 Be ready to answer tough questions, such as How can we be sure that our child will not be hurt? and How well are you prepared to be a member of this family? Assume that you are applying for a lifetime caretaker of their love one.
6.0 Have something to bring, but do not be too extravagant. You can ask your sweetheart what touches their heart and if possible, personalize it. It is not just being sweet; it is also an attractive thing to talk about.
7.0 Arrive on time, whether you are alone or together with your sweetheart. It is better if you come earlier than expected; it means that you are excited to meet them.
During the Meeting:
1.0 After you have been introduced, avoid offering a handshake because they are not your business partners. It is better if you follow their tradition like in the Philippines, younger people take the hand of the elders and put it on his forehead, and the elder one says, Bless you.
2.0 Always wear a smile and it will invite them to smile too. Although you are quite nervous, do not let it show. Feel free to start a conversation. After all, they are nervous too.
3.0 Avoid going back and forth to the restroom to fix yourself. Be confident and do not be conscious on how you look. It will manifest on your facial expression.
4.0 If you are not familiar with the food that is being served, do not get it. But if they insist, and you do not seem to like the food, be polite with your reaction.
5.0 Avoid looking at your sweetheart while talking to his/her parents as if you are asking for help. Let it be your turn to be a star in their eyes.
6.0 When they are opening their present, explain something about it, but do not tell them that you know what they want, although they know somehow that you already got a hint.
7.0 While telling about your self, do not exaggerate or attempt to fake it. Just like a potential employer, they have the right to double check it.
8.0 If you have to say something that is not nice about their child, be conscious because you may be hurting their feelings. Say it like they are your parents too.
9.0 Before leaving, tell them that you had a wonderful time and willing to come back, even not with their child. But do not act like you are taking their child away from them.
Marriage is a package deal. You have to love your in-laws whether you like them or not, so you better start loving them when you are not yet married.
Before the Meeting:
1.0 Do not meet them if you just came from work the whole day. You will look haggard no matter how to fix yourself. It is better if you are as fresh as you can be when you present yourself.
2.0 Prepare nice clothes to wear. You do not need to buy a new one, just make sure it is decent and appropriate for the occasion but comfortable to you. If they are from another country, it is better if you somehow embrace their culture.
3.0 Bring your resume, of course not literally. What I meant is that expect that you will be asked where you graduated grade school, hobbies, employment history and special skills.
4.0 Ask your sweetheart what topics his/her parents love to discuss, such as jewelries, clothes, business or even history. Make some research as much as possible. They will find you interesting to talk with.
5.0 Be ready to answer tough questions, such as How can we be sure that our child will not be hurt? and How well are you prepared to be a member of this family? Assume that you are applying for a lifetime caretaker of their love one.
6.0 Have something to bring, but do not be too extravagant. You can ask your sweetheart what touches their heart and if possible, personalize it. It is not just being sweet; it is also an attractive thing to talk about.
7.0 Arrive on time, whether you are alone or together with your sweetheart. It is better if you come earlier than expected; it means that you are excited to meet them.
During the Meeting:
1.0 After you have been introduced, avoid offering a handshake because they are not your business partners. It is better if you follow their tradition like in the Philippines, younger people take the hand of the elders and put it on his forehead, and the elder one says, Bless you.
2.0 Always wear a smile and it will invite them to smile too. Although you are quite nervous, do not let it show. Feel free to start a conversation. After all, they are nervous too.
3.0 Avoid going back and forth to the restroom to fix yourself. Be confident and do not be conscious on how you look. It will manifest on your facial expression.
4.0 If you are not familiar with the food that is being served, do not get it. But if they insist, and you do not seem to like the food, be polite with your reaction.
5.0 Avoid looking at your sweetheart while talking to his/her parents as if you are asking for help. Let it be your turn to be a star in their eyes.
6.0 When they are opening their present, explain something about it, but do not tell them that you know what they want, although they know somehow that you already got a hint.
7.0 While telling about your self, do not exaggerate or attempt to fake it. Just like a potential employer, they have the right to double check it.
8.0 If you have to say something that is not nice about their child, be conscious because you may be hurting their feelings. Say it like they are your parents too.
9.0 Before leaving, tell them that you had a wonderful time and willing to come back, even not with their child. But do not act like you are taking their child away from them.
Marriage is a package deal. You have to love your in-laws whether you like them or not, so you better start loving them when you are not yet married.
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