As the holidays quickly approach, some of you may be meeting your significant other’s family for the first time. These are the big leagues—it’s not just a hookup anymore. It’s real, it’s significant and it’s serious.
I’ve only been in this situation a couple of times, but I’ve always been victorious. I pride myself on having great interactions with my partner’s family. There are a few tips I have to make the stressful situation a little easier:
1. Help around the house.
This is an easy one, but is often looked over. Help out with the chores, cooking, dishes, etc. This makes all the difference in the world. If his or her family was kind enough to let you stay in their home, make an effort to show them you’re thankful.
2. Don’t get too drunk and make a fool of yourself.
Alcohol is always served at my house around the holidays—wine, cocktails and beer. Having a couple of drinks at dinner is acceptable. What is not acceptable is getting so wasted you pass out on the floor while the family is hanging out. It’s also not acceptable to spend the evening with your head in the toilet. Not only is it not sexy, it makes you look immature and irresponsible.
3. Avoid sexual activities.
This is where it gets tricky! Some families are more lax about this rule and some are very traditional. I spent a week at the home of my boyfriend’s family a couple years ago in Miami, and they didn’t mind if we had sex. However, the walls were thin, and it was a full house. I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of my maybe future in-laws hearing me orgasm. A good rule of thumb is to abstain from sexual activities while you’re staying with the family. It’s a matter of respect.
4. Be nice to children and the pets.
This should be a common-sense statement, but sometimes our patience slips and we end up yelling at the kids or the pets. This is not your place. You will offend people, and that’s not at all the end goal. If you think you’re about to go nuts, take a walk outside, go catch a movie or call a friend. Never lose your temper.
5. If you have friends or exes in the same town, leave them alone.
This is another “duh” statement. You are spending quality time with the family of your significant other. You need to show the family that they (and your boyfriend/girlfriend) are your top priority. Do not use their home as a crash pad.
If you follow these simple rules, you will more than likely make a great, strong impression, which will help you gain points with the family and your significant other. That, in turn, will make future family functions fun and stress-free.
