In dating relationships, there usually comes a point in time when you are introduced to your significant other’s parents. I brought Tyler home to meet my family last month. I prepared him for their antics ahead of time, and fortunately they were on their best behavior. He had described his family as quiet and laid-back. I replied, “Have you ever seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding? My family is the Irish version of that, right down to my mother trying to make you Irish.” You see, when I told my mom his last name, she asked, “Is that German?” I answered, “I think it’s English.” My mother replied, “Oh, well it’s not Irish, but I guess it’s close enough.” She seems to ignore the fact that my father has very little Irish blood in him.

Despite Tyler’s lack of Irish heritage, he passed their inspection….I think it was mostly because he dressed up and didn’t lay a finger on me the entire time.

Compare that to my youngest sister’s boyfriend’s introduction to the parents this Thanksgiving. He showed up wearing a t-shirt that had the words “Get Carded” on the front and jeans with holes in the back pockets. He also kissed my sister’s ear, in front of our parents. I watched my mom’s eyes shoot daggers at him from across the table. Not a smooth move.

Then I met Tyler’s parents last weekend. I’m not going to lie, parents love me. Heck, when I was in high school, I had quite a fan club of mothers that wanted me to go out with their sons. Of course, the sons preferred to be chasing the blond cheerleaders at the time, but still. I wasn’t worried about meeting his parents. I went with him to the church he grew up in. I talked to his grandmother for all of 30 seconds, and apparently that was enough to make her really like me as well. This inspired me to write down some ways to impress the parents:

1. Dress conservatively but stylishly. This means no jeans or t-shirts, at least for the first meeting. It also means no cleavage and nothing too tight, but also still looking younger than his mother.
2. Genuinely compliment then. Comment on a dish that the mother made, how she’s decorated her house, or that she looks fabulous. Compliment the father on whatever it is that he does.
3. Bring a hostess gift, such as flowers or a loaf of bread.
4. Compliment them on how they raised their child.
5. Find out from your significant other ahead of time about their hobbies and ask them about it.
6. Keep the PDA to an absolute minimum, if at all, when around the parents.
7. Be positive and outgoing. Works for me every time.