Meeting your partner’s family for the first time can be a harrowing experience for those unprepared for the challenge. Making a good impression is paramount, so you must do everything possible to land on their good side. Here are some helpful tips for how to impress your future in-laws.
Observe the Golden Rule
One basic tenet of human decency is to treat others how you want to be treated. Parents want to be sure that their child will spend their life with a person who values and respects them, so demonstrating courtesy will go a long way. This rule should also extend to your treatment of others, including service workers, while in your in-laws’ company.
Keep a Welcoming Home
Just like when any other guests come to your home, it’s important to clean and declutter before your future family arrives. An orderly house shows focus and attention to detail. Proper furniture for the living room and kitchen can also impress your in-laws.
Be Honest
“Honesty is the best policy.” Exhibiting honesty makes it easier for your partner’s family to trust and respect you in return. Openness helps prevent misunderstandings that can negatively impact relationships for years.
Pre-Plan Activities and Meals
Planning activities and meals that everyone enjoys is a challenging yet rewarding method for getting to know the people in your partner’s life. Take the time to bond with your in-laws and learn about their interests and hobbies. Bonding over a shared enjoyment of something is a great way to strengthen your ties.
Manage Expectations
The cliché of constant feuds between in-laws has been around for generations. While going to a holiday dinner may not result in World War III, it’s still important to manage expectations with your in-laws. There are some situations where peaceful coexistence is all you can reasonably hope for, and when that happens, it is best to accept it and move forward.
Be Yourself
The last tip for how to impress your future in-laws is to be yourself. Don’t try to change your personality to match what your partner’s family wants. Remember that ultimately, it’s most important to have a good relationship with your partner—even if their family disapproves.
