Having a good relationship with your girlfriend’s dad makes things way easier for everyone involved. However, earning his trust can feel like a real struggle sometimes, especially if your girlfriend’s dad is overprotective. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to win over even the most skeptical of fathers. Below we’ll walk you through some concrete things you can do the next time you see your girlfriend’s dad to make a good impression and show him that you’re trustworthy.

1

Learn about her dad before you meet him.

  1. Talk to your girlfriend about what her dad likes to do. Knowing about his personality and interests can help make interactions with him easier. For instance, what does he do for work? What does he like to do for fun? What’s his general temperament like? Was your girlfriend’s dad nice to her significant others in the past?[1]
    • If her dad is a laid back guy with a good sense of humor, you might want to think about some G-rated jokes you can tell when you're around him. On the other hand, if he's a serious, grumpy, or even hostile man, you'll want to prepare yourself for this so you aren't taken aback if he's unpleasant to you.
    • Find out about his interests and values. This can help you find things to talk to him about, especially if you can find things you have in common with him. This can be as deep as his political or religious beliefs or as simple as being a fan of some sport, hobby, or TV show.
  2. Advertisement
7

Act confident.

  1. Even if you’re feeling nervous, try to fake it until you make it. Look him in the eye when you talk, stand up straight, and avoid fidgeting. You’ll seem more trustworthy, and you’ll be able to make a deeper connection with him, too.[7]
    • Showing nervousness can sometimes suggest you are hiding something.
    • At the same time, don't be overconfident or showy. This can also be off-putting to people or suggest you aren't genuine.
    • Talk about the things you've accomplished in your career and personal life. Showing your girlfriend's parents that you're independent will help them feel that you're able to stand on your own two feet, and you're with their daughter for the right reasons.[8]
  2. Advertisement
8

Talk about positive things.

  1. Bring up stuff you like and feel good about. Avoid bringing up negative subjects or stuff you want to complain about. Involve your girlfriend in the conversation, and talk about things the two of you enjoy doing together, like hiking, riding bikes, or exercising.[9]
    • Talk about things you like about school, work, or hobbies. Most people prefer talking to people who are positive, so try not to gripe or complain.
    • When you talk about your girlfriend, don't be critical of her in any way. Speak of her highly, but genuinely, and don't be afraid to express what it is in particular that you like about her.[10]

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get premium answers for this article? Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow

  • Question
    How can I earn the trust of my girlfriend's parents?
    Erika Kaplan
    Erika Kaplan
    Relationship Advisor
    Erika Kaplan is a Dating Coach and Matchmaker for Three Day Rule, an exclusive matchmaking company across nine cities in the United States. With over six years of experience, Erika specializes in helping singles find quality matches through date coaching and premium matchmaking services. Erika graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She worked for Rolling Stone, Us Weekly, and Men’s Journal before leaving publishing to pursue her passion for connecting people. Erika has been featured on Lifetime, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and CBS as well as in Thrillist, Elite Daily, Men’s Health, Fast Company, and Refinery29.
    Erika Kaplan
    Relationship Advisor
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    The most important thing is not to put your partner down in any of those situations. Speak highly but genuinely of her, and tell her parents what it is you especially like about her.
Advertisement

About This Article

Erika Kaplan
Co-authored by:
Relationship Advisor
This article was co-authored by Erika Kaplan and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Erika Kaplan is a Dating Coach and Matchmaker for Three Day Rule, an exclusive matchmaking company across nine cities in the United States. With over six years of experience, Erika specializes in helping singles find quality matches through date coaching and premium matchmaking services. Erika graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She worked for Rolling Stone, Us Weekly, and Men’s Journal before leaving publishing to pursue her passion for connecting people. Erika has been featured on Lifetime, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and CBS as well as in Thrillist, Elite Daily, Men’s Health, Fast Company, and Refinery29. This article has been viewed 206,756 times.
19 votes - 75%
Co-authors: 37
Updated: June 28, 2021
Views: 206,756
Article SummaryX

The key to getting your girlfriend’s dad to trust you is finding out about him and making a good impression. Before you meet her dad, ask your girlfriend what he's like and what he'll expect from you as a boyfriend. When you’re at your girlfriend’s house, make an effort to spend time with her dad and get to know him. Ask him about things like work, hobbies, movies, and sports he likes. Try to avoid controversial subjects, like religion and politics in case you accidentally offend him. Don’t forget to be polite and say please and thank you. You should also respect his rules, like getting your girlfriend home by curfew and sleeping in separate rooms if that’s what he expects. For more tips, including how to dress to impress your girlfriend’s dad, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement