Meeting your boyfriend’s parents is a great way to take your relationship to the next level. But if the idea of meeting the parents makes you shiver in fear, you’re not alone! While it can feel nerve-wracking, there’s no reason to worry—there are plenty of things you can do to win over your boyfriend’s parents.

Here are 13 tips to help you impress your boyfriend’s parents when you meet them for the first time.

1

Get some background from your boyfriend.

  1. Ask about the dynamic between his parents and what they’re like. Do they live together still, or are they divorced? Does he have step-parents? Is his family super strict, or do they like to joke around and have fun? Getting some background knowledge will help you feel more confident when it comes time to actually meet up.[1] [2]
    • You can also ask your boyfriend about some good conversation topics. For instance, maybe his dad is super into fly fishing or his mom is a painter. You can ask them about those things to show an interest in their lives.
    • Be sure to ask your boyfriend about his parents’ culture, too. If it’s different from yours, there may be rules you need to follow so you don’t offend them.
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2

Dress in a modest but flattering outfit.

  1. Put on something that you feel comfortable and confident in. Take note of the location, too—if you’re going to a 5-star restaurant, you might wear something a little nicer. Stay away from ripped jeans or anything short enough that you’d wear it on a night out, since that can feel a little too informal. If you aren’t sure what to wear, ask your boyfriend for his input.[3]
    • If you have tattoos or piercings, it’s up to you whether or not you want to cover them up or leave them as-is. If you aren’t sure, ask your boyfriend how his parents might feel about them.
    • Keep in mind that first impressions are lasting impressions, so you'll want to look your finest and represent yourself in the best way possible.[4]
3

Meet in a neutral place if you can.

  1. Go out for dinner or grab some coffee together. That way, no one gets judged for their living situation, and you can leave whenever you want to. Plus, going out for a meal or for coffee sets up a clear beginning, middle, and end, so there won’t be an awkward conversation about when it’s time to leave.[5]
    • You might not be able to choose the location, and that’s okay. If his parents want you to come over for dinner or head to your place, that’s totally fine!
    • Try to meet his parents one-on-one before you meet the rest of his family. Although his aunts, uncles, and cousins might be dying to meet you, seeing everyone all at once can be a little overwhelming.
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7

Ask his parents for stories about your boyfriend’s childhood.

  1. This is always a good way to have a fun, lively conversation. Put your boyfriend in the hot seat by asking his parents about what he was like as a kid. If they have any funny stories to share with you, you can all have a good chuckle over what your boyfriend used to get into. Try asking something like:[9]
    • “Was Chris always this funny? I feel like he must have been the class clown.”
    • “Did Robert ever give you any trouble growing up?”
    • “What was Danny like as a child?”
    • Keep in mind that if your boyfriend is easily embarrassed or doesn’t like talking about the past, you might want to stay away from this topic. If you aren’t sure, ask your boyfriend about it before you all meet up.
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11

Answer any questions his parents have about you.

  1. They’ll probably be interested in getting to know you. Be prepared to talk about your job, your hobbies, and anything you like to do for fun. They might also ask you about your family or where you grew up, too. Be honest, but try to keep things mostly G-rated, too.[13]
    • As you chat with his parents, try to avoid swearing or over-sharing. Since you’re meeting them for the first time, be sure to be polite, and keep your answers respectful.
    • You might also have to answer questions about your relationship or how committed you are to your boyfriend. If you ever feel uncomfortable, lean on your boyfriend for support, and let him handle the hard-to-navigate answers.
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12

Stay away from politics or religion.

  1. These touchy subjects are probably best saved for later. It’s fine to talk about your opinions once you get to know his parents, but the first meeting isn’t the time or place. If the conversation starts heading that way, either change the subject yourself or look to your boyfriend to steer you away from the topic.[14] [15]
    • If his parents ask about your political or religious beliefs, you can be honest. However, try to be respectful, since they might have differing views than you.

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    How do you start a conversation with your boyfriend's parents?
    Jan & Jillian Yuhas
    Jan & Jillian Yuhas
    Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists
    Jan Yuhas and Jillian Yuhas are Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists and the Founders of Entwined Lifestyle. They specialize in helping individuals and couples work on effective communication, healthy boundaries, and lifestyle wellness. They have also been featured on media outlets such as Yahoo Lifestyle and Bustle. Jan and Jillian both hold a BA in Psychology from The University of Illinois at Chicago and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Adler School of Professional Psychology.
    Jan & Jillian Yuhas
    Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists
    Expert Answer
    Focus on creating a great first impression! To help, ask your partner if there is anything you need to be aware of prior to meeting them.
  • Question
    What to talk about when you meet your boyfriend's parents for the first time?
    Jan & Jillian Yuhas
    Jan & Jillian Yuhas
    Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists
    Jan Yuhas and Jillian Yuhas are Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists and the Founders of Entwined Lifestyle. They specialize in helping individuals and couples work on effective communication, healthy boundaries, and lifestyle wellness. They have also been featured on media outlets such as Yahoo Lifestyle and Bustle. Jan and Jillian both hold a BA in Psychology from The University of Illinois at Chicago and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Adler School of Professional Psychology.
    Jan & Jillian Yuhas
    Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists
    Expert Answer
    We recommend keeping the conversation amicable by leaving controversial subjects like politics, religion, money, etc. off the table until you have built a solid connection.
  • Question
    What if the parents don't like you?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    First impression are important, but they aren't everything. If you feel like his parents don't like you after your first meeting, you can still change their minds! Talk to your boyfriend about why they might be hesitant about you or what you could do differently next time. You can also ask your boyfriend if his parents truly don't like you or if they just take a while to warm up to people.
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About This Article

Jan & Jillian Yuhas
Co-authored by:
Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists
This article was co-authored by Jan & Jillian Yuhas and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Jan Yuhas and Jillian Yuhas are Relationship Coaches & Boundary Specialists and the Founders of Entwined Lifestyle. They specialize in helping individuals and couples work on effective communication, healthy boundaries, and lifestyle wellness. They have also been featured on media outlets such as Yahoo Lifestyle and Bustle. Jan and Jillian both hold a BA in Psychology from The University of Illinois at Chicago and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Adler School of Professional Psychology. This article has been viewed 210,929 times.
12 votes - 95%
Co-authors: 45
Updated: August 30, 2021
Views: 210,929
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